The country’s apex trade body Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Friday urged Iran to allow duty-free access for all Bangladeshi export products considering the LDC status of Bangladesh under the Preferential Trade Agreement.
At a breakfast meeting with Iranian industry, mine and trade minister Mahdi Ghazanfari at Pan Pacific Sonargoan Hotel in Dhaka, FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed also emphasised on more flexible visa regime between the two countries to boost the business.
Iranian ambassador to Bangladesh Hossein Aminian Toussi, FBCCI first vice-president Monowara Hakim Ali, FBCCI director AKM Shahed Reza and FBCCI secretary general Mir Shahabuddin Mohammad were also present at the meeting.
FBCCI president called upon the Iranian investors to invest in Bangladesh saying that the country provided low-cost production base and incentive facilities especially in agro, textiles, leather sectors.
The Iranian minister said pursuant to signing of Memorandum of Understanding and Joint Business Council, both the countries needed to a lot with a view to promoting trade and investment.
The Iranian minister also assured to provide PTA to Bangladeshi products and emphasised that the Joint Business Council should be activated among the private sectors.
Both the sides stressed on exchanging business delegations and opening of air links between the countries.
In 2011-2012, the total trade volume between the countries was about $95.16 million. Bangladesh exported about $83 million while import from Iran was $12.16 million.
Bangladesh mainly export knitwear, raw jute, chemicals products while import from Iran are mineral products, textiles and textiles articles, plastics and rubber articles, chemical products, base metals etc.
-With New Age input
