Wales delegation pitches trade potential

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Wales delegation pitches trade potential
Star Business Report

A 24-member business delegation from Wales is now visiting Bangladesh with an aim to foster trade relations between the two countries.

“We are here to give a boost to the trade relations between Bangladesh and Wales, as there is no official trade relations between the two countries,” said Dilabor Hossain, chairman of the Wales-Bangladesh Chamber and Commerce.

“We are here to encourage the Wales businesspeople to invest in Bangladesh. At the same time we are urging Bangladesh’s business community to explore opportunities in Wales,” he said during a press briefing at the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the city yesterday.

Hossain said the third generation of Wales-Bangladeshis wants to invest in Bangladesh. “This is not a business delegation only eyeing to promote own interests; we want to link both way business.”

Mahbub Noor, secretary general of the chamber, said Wales offers huge opportunities for the Bangladeshi businesspeople in the areas such as ICT, engineering, technology, financial and medical services.

“We also plan to forge joint venture with Bangladeshi companies to limit the risk associated with any business,” he said. “Our objective is to raise the business opportunities between the two countries.”

Christopher Conners, business development manager of Broadcrown Ltd, a power generator company, said: “We see Bangladesh as a stable country with good credit rating. I think Bangladesh is a good place for doing business given the current global economic scenario.”

Siful H Sujan, a director of the chamber, said there is a tremendous opportunity to do business in Bangladesh. “The economy is ready to accommodate further investment.”

During their weeklong stay in Bangladesh, the delegates will meet government high-ups and members of private sector including those from the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The team will travel to Chittagong, where they will hold talks with Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the vice chancellor of the Chittagong University.

Acting British High Commissioner Nick Low and Head of UK Trade and Industry in Dhaka Justin Davies were also present during the briefing.