Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said Bangladesh will form a joint business council with the European Union (EU) next year to boost the country’s trade links with its member countries.
“We’ve decided to form the EU-Bangladesh Business Council. The first meeting of the joint council will be held in February..,” Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told reporters after the meeting with EU Ambassador in Dhaka Pierre Mayaudon at the Secretariat yesterday, reports UNB.
Some 25 members from the EU, an economic block of 28 countries, will be the members of the joint business council, the Commerce Minister said.
Representatives from the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Dhaka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Chittagong Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and other stakeholders concerned will represent Bangladesh side, he said.
Tofail said the council will play a role in resolving the trade and investment-related problems through taking proper steps.
Expressing satisfaction over his discussion with the Commerce Minister, the EU envoy said the joint business council will be a successful one in boosting trade and investment between Bangladesh and the EU.
Mayaudon laid emphasis on putting together the ‘relevant agenda’ to encourage more investment in Bangladesh from the European countries. “We’ve our success stories,” the diplomat said citing the deal recently signed between Bangladesh and French company on Satellite Bangabandhu-1.
Mayaudon also said the joint business council will help boost investment in Bangladesh from European countries through ‘meaningful dialogue’ between the business people of the two countries. Appreciating Bangladesh’s economic growth, the envoy said the EU will continue to help Bangladesh through enhanced trade and investment.
