Bangladesh, Indonesia discussing deal to reduce trade gap

Bangladesh and Indonesia is in discussion to sign a preferential trade agreement to reduce the trade gap in favour of Bangladesh.

Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Rina P Soemarno informed this on Monday.

To this end, she met President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Abul Kasem Khan at the DCCI office.

DCCI President said the bilateral trade gap between the two countries is in favour of Indonesia.

In 2016-17 Bangladesh’s export to Indonesia was worth US$46.389 million against the import of US$1149.9 million, says UNB citing a DCCI press release.

He urged the Indonesian Ambassador to take initiative to start direct air flight between Dhaka and Jakarta to boost bilateral trade specially tourism sector.

Khan invited Indonesian investors to invest in agriculture, IT, leather, infrastructure and tourism sectors in Bangladesh.

The Ambassador said Bangladeshi jute bag, tiles from jute and other diversified jute products and shoes have potential market access in Indonesia.

She invited Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to attend 'Tradexpo Indonesia' to be held from October 24 to 28 this year in Indonesia.

The envoy also showed her interest to jointly work in the blue economy sector to explore its potentials.

Moreover, she echoed with the President, DCCI for establishing a direct flight between Dhaka and Jakarta.

The Ambassador said the more they will know each other, the more trade will take place between the two countries.

She said exchange of trade delegation will bring the entrepreneurs of both the countries close to each other.

DCCI Vice President Riyadh Hossain, Counsellor-Economic Affairs of Indonesian Embassy Inggrid Rosalina and Secretary General AHM Rezaul Kabir were also present during the meeting.