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Bangladesh-Hong Kong trade opportunities still untapped

Speakers say at DCCI-HKTDC seminar


Published : 13 Sep 2022 07:18 PM

Referring that the trade opportunities between Bangladesh and Hong Kong remains still untapped, speakers at a seminar on Monday observed that Bangladeshi and foreign investors can explore mutual investment and trade opportunities in promising industries via Hong Kong in different parts of the world including China vice versa in the changing economic context.   

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) jointly organized a seminar on “Exploring business and investment opportunities for Bangladesh via Hong Kong” on Monday evening at a city hotel. 

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, MP was present as the chief guest while Sharifa Khan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance was present as special guest with DCCI President Rizwan Rahman in the chair.

Rizwan Rahman, President, Dhaka Chamber in his opening remarks said Hong Kong, a market‑oriented free economy, is predominantly an ideal and important centre for international finance and trade for the Asia-Pacific region and mainland which enable businesses to tap massive opportunities. 

Hong Kong, the global business hub, has been the gateway between businesses in China and the outside world and the Asia’s trade-fair and convention hub attracting many international businesses through various timely exhibitions, events and other trade-related events. 

Hong Kong has become one of the trusted top 10 foreign investors in Bangladesh with $1.8 billion investment mainly till date in textile and energy sector and trade reached over $1 billion earlier. 

Taking the investment success instance and economic tie of Bangladesh and Hong Kong into account, Bangladeshi and foreign investors can explore mutual investment and trade opportunities in promising industries via Hong Kong in different parts of the world including China vice versa in the changing economic context.   

Tipu Munshi, MP, Minister for Commerce, Bangladesh said Bangladesh is going to be graduated from LDC status and for that we need foreign investment specially in the infrastructure, financial, service and manufacturing sector. 

He said that Bangladesh has a good demographic dividend, skilled workforce and congenial investment environment. “Try Bangladesh for investment”, later he added. 

Sharifa Khan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance said that the existing trade gap between Bangladesh and Hong Kong is also a great opportunity for future business. 

She said Hong Kong is good in financial sector. Later she invited them to operate in Bangladesh as our market is a big one in this region. If more Hong Kong companies come in Bangladesh it will help us for technology transfer. 

Rajesh Bhagat, Consultant South Asia, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) presented the keynote paper. 

He highlighted that Hong Kong has a very simple tax and customs procedures. There are not sales tax and no custom tariff.