BTCCI wants to sign FTA with Thailand

The leaders of Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) have urged Thailand to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh to enhance bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The BTCCI leaders also called on to make easier Thai Visa process for Bangladeshi People and work jointly for more joint ventures in Bangladesh.

The newly elected board of directors of BTCCI came up with the proposals during a meeting with the Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmor at the embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The ambassador emphasized that apart from trading only, now countries should try to establish strategic partnerships. She assured of all cooperation and support from her embassy to BTCCI in this regard, said a press release issued on Wednesday.

“The bilateral business between Bangladesh and Thailand should be increased as we have the ethnic historical and cultural ties of both the countries went back to years ago,” he also said. The Thai Envoy assured the business leaders to work on all proposals of BTCCI and also assured try to make easier for Thai Visa.

The Ambassador thanked to the board of Directors to come forward for the discussion of bilateral issues of Bangladesh and Thailand and assured with all out cooperation for enhancing bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand.

BTCCI President Shams Mahmud emphasized on the increasing export from Bangladesh to Thailand and he requested Thai Officials to initiate for adding new products to import from Bangladesh such as Pharmaceuticals, Jute and Jute goods, Leather, RMG and Ceramics etc.

BTCCI senior Vice president Md. Munir Hossain said Bangladesh provided a low cost production base and competitive labor market for Thai Businessmen and therefore Bangladesh could be their investment destination.

“Thailand could also play an important role by investing in Bangladesh’s infrastructure like Roads and Highways, Power and Energy, Agro processing and such labor intensive sectors,” he added.

Former DCCI President and also BTCCI director Abdul Kasem Khan emphasized on strengthening the already established good relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand.

He welcomed to the Thai investors to invest in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Bangladesh.