ASEAN diplomats hold meeting with ICCB president

ASEAN diplomats visited ICC Bangladesh on 20 March and held a meeting with ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, Vice Presidents AK Azad, and Naser Ezaz Bijoy.

Mr Mahbubur Rahman thanked the diplomats for the opportunity to brief them on the global activities of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, and ICC Bangladesh, according to a press statement Sunday.

The ICC Bangladesh President mentioned that there is a significant trade gap between Bangladesh and ASEAN due to limited exports from Bangladesh. He, therefore, requested an increase in imports from Bangladesh to reduce the trade gap. He also requested the ASEAN diplomats to actively promote the inclusion of Bangladesh in ASEAN and to establish a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with these countries.

The ICC Bangladesh President highlighted Bangladesh’s economic growth, investment-friendly policies, and opportunities in key industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and the energy sector.

Mr Nguyen Manh Cuong, Chair of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee and Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Bangladesh, thanked the ICC Bangladesh President for inviting the ASEAN diplomats. He pointed out that ASEAN considers Bangladesh a country with vast opportunities to expand its exports to ASEAN. Bangladesh needs to diversify its products and arrange promotional efforts for its products in these countries.

During the meeting, participants emphasised the importance of establishing direct air connectivity and coastal shipping routes to enhance trade. The Indonesian representative expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh’s solar power sector. It was also suggested that ASEAN countries could promote tourism and invest in the service sector, particularly in developing skilled manpower to meet global demand.

The meeting was attended by Mrs Nina P Cainglet, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines; Mr Haji Haris Bin Haji Othman, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam; Mr U Kyaw Soe Moe, Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar; Mr Panom Thongprayoon, Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy; Mr M Robbi Firly Harkha, Third Secretary of Economic Affairs; and Mr Sapto Rudiyanto, Economic Affairs and IT Officer of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. From ICC Bangladesh, Secretary General Ataur Rahman, General Manager Ajay Bihari Saha, and Deputy General Manager Syeda Shahnewaz Lotika were also present.