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The Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) has decided that it would organise a 'Made in Bangladesh Festival' in Thailand in September 2005 for proper exhibition of Bangladeshi products.
The Programme will also include Cultural Shows and Food Festival depicting the tradition and heritage of Bangladesh.
The decision was taken at the first annual general meeting (AGM) of BTCCI held at the Spectra Convention Centre at Gulshan-1 in the city Saturday. Members of the BTCCI which included businessmen from Bangladesh as well as from Thailand were present.
The meeting emphasised the need for enhancing the capabilities of Bangladesh export to Thailand through on of Bangladeshi products in in the various international trade fairs held in Bangkok and other important cities in Thailand.
Members of the chamber participated in the election of the office bearers, and the new Board of Directors was formed with R Maksud Khan its President. Other office besrers are AYM Kamal Vice President, Manzur-ur-Rahman (Ruskin) secretary general, Salauddin Abdullah organising secretary, Zafar Osman treasurer and Kamrul H Murad, Matiur Rahmand, Masudur Rahman, Alamgir MZ Rahman, MA Momen and Mofiz A Bhuiyan its directors.
The BTCCI was established in 2003 with the objectives to promote and develop trade and investment between Bangladesh and Thailand.
At the end of the AGM, the BTCCI had arranged annual dinner which was attended among others by Thai Ambassador Suphat Chitranukroh as the chief guest and commerce secretary Siddiqur Rahman Choudhury as the special guest.
In his address of welcome, the BTCCI president informed the gathering that the current export from Bangladesh to Thailand hit only US$ 22.79 million whereas the import from Thailand stood at US$ 236.90 million.
He pointed out that in order to encourage Bangladesh exporters, Thailand allowed duty-free access of 128 items, mostly agro based. They have further allowed at concessional rate of duty, a large number of industrial products such as jute bags, jute products, textile products, tiles, porcelain and ceramic wares, etc.
Maksud Khan asked the business community to take advantage of the situation.
He further commented that the Thai businessmen were also keen to set up joint venture industries in Bangladesh and buy back the products.
Ambassador Suphat Chitranukroh appreciating the role of the BTCCI also emphasised that in order to attract Thai businessmen, Bangladesh should hold series of trade fairs in Thailand with Bangladeshi products.
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