Vietnam team in Dhaka for market survey as Bangladesh wants investment

A 22-strong Vietnam business delegation is in Dhaka on a three-day visit as Bangladesh looks to lure in investment from the Southeast Asian nation.

The commerce ministry on Thursday said the Vietnamese businesspeople would explore market opportunities in Bangladesh.

Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Industry and Trade Do Huu Huy is leading the delegation that met Bangladesh ministers in a seminar and business leaders on Wednesday.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon spoke at the seminar and sought Vietnamese investments.

Tofail encouraged investments from Vietnam and more exports from Bangladesh.

He asked the Vietnamese side to relax the import tax regulation regarding pharmaceutical products to make way for Bangladeshi drugs to their market.

He stressed on promoting “joint venture” companies between the countries.

Menon particularly encouraged Vietnamese investments in agriculture, machinery, tourism and technology sectors.

He suggested establishing “pathways” to increase export from Bangladesh to Vietnam.

The Vietnamese team spoke about importing agro machinery, stone and minerals, processed food items, construction materials and electrical and mechanical accessories from Vietnam.

This, they said, would eventually help bring future foreign investment from Vietnam.

They also stressed on products diversification for “sustainable growth” in trade relations.

Vietnam Ambassador in Dhaka Tran Van Khoa was present at the seminar jointly organised by the Bangladesh-Vietnam Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and Embassy of Vietnam in Bangladesh.