Bangladesh considers Thailand a model of development: Minister Shahriar Alam

Bangladesh considers Thailand as “a model of socio-economic development” for all developing countries, says State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.

Speaking at the ongoing Bangladesh expo in Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Tuesday, Alam welcomed Thai businesspersons to explore Bangladesh.
 
This was the first-of-its kind expo Bangladesh embassy in Thailand organised in the 44 years of diplomatic relations to promote the country for trade and investment.
 
Alam said Bangladesh looks forward “to sustained engagement and exchange of views between the two countries for deepening the existing cooperation, particularly in trade and investment.”
 
In this regard, he said, Bangladesh was “eagerly waiting” to host the seventh joint commission meeting led by two foreign ministers at the end of this year.
 
“For Bangladesh, Thailand is the ASEAN trade and connectivity hub. We wish to use this hub for our engagement with other ASEAN countries,” he said.
 
He welcomed the Thai announcement that they would consider duty-free market access to Bangladesh’s major export items, and said trade was the “most effective” instrument in promoting economic growth.
 
He stressed on establishing direct coastal shipping between the two countries along the Bay of Bengal.
 
Bangladesh officials highlighted the investment friendly environment to the Thai businesses in the panel and said Bangladesh was the “best place”, by some global rankings, in the region when it came to protection of foreign investments.  
 
The state minister called upon the business community of Thailand “to explore all avenues to invest and do business in Bangladesh”.

He also urged them to take advantage of Bangladesh’s location as the “hub” of regional economic activities as the country increasingly gets integrated with the economic corridors of China, Myanmar and India.

He said Bangladesh also finds itself as a “land-bridge” between South Asia and Southeast Asia and gives special emphasis on expansion of trade and investment and connectivity with ASEAN neighbours.
 
He highlighted Bangladesh’s initiative to promote regional groupings and said Thailand is Bangladesh’s close Bay of Bengal neighbour with whom “we share ancient trading, cultural, religious and linguistic linkages and a common aspiration for regional and global peace, progress and prosperity.”
 
The expo where at least 55 Bangladeshi companies were displaying their products—mostly diversified jute products, pharmaceuticals and ceramics—will end on Wednesday. 
 
Several Bangladesh and Thai ministers related to commerce, industry, ICT, energy and tourism as well as diplomats also attended different sessions at the expo.