Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi expressed hope that export volume with the CIS countries will increase significantly if the existing trade barriers with them can be reduced. He said the government has already taken various steps to increase export to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries that include Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Armenia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The Minister, on a state visit to Uzbekistan, told this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of "Uzbekistan Textile Conference" and "Global Textile Day", organised by Uzbekistan Textile and garments Industry Association at Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Tuesday. Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Elior Ganiev, Ambassador of Turkey, Representatives from ILO and IFC also spoke on the occasion.
In his address, Tipu Munshi said that the ready-made garments (RMG) industry of Bangladesh occupies 2nd position across the globe. Demand of Bangladeshi RMG products is increasing worldwide day by day. Workers here are now working in a safe and work-friendly atmosphere, one after another green factories are being established in the country.
"Export to Uzbekistan is not increasing due to some complications with Uzbekistan as per the expectations, the country seeks cooperation of Bangladesh to resolve the problems," the Minister said adding that Bangladesh has already signed an agreement with 'Euro-Asian Economic Commission' aiming to increase economic cooperation of Bangladesh with the CIS countries.
Sources said Bangladesh has exported goods worth $ 29.29 million to Uzbekistan in the FY 2017-18 while imported from the country worth $ 193.60 million. Earlier in a bi-lateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Elior Ganiev, Commerce Minister said that his government is providing special facilities to investors, already many countries have started investing in the special economic zones in Bangladesh.
During the visit the Minister also took part in a roundtable meeting of the bi-lateral trade forum, organised by the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce. The Minister urged for introducing direct flight from Dhaka to Tashkent also requested the Uzbek investors to invest in Bangladesh in the potential sector like Tourism and RMG. He also invited trade delegation of Uzbekistan government to visit Bangladesh.