Thailand Exhibition 2005
Morshed urges Thailand to narrow down trade gap
Staff Correspondent, Ctg
The three-day show of Thai products styled "Thailand Exhibition 2005" began in the port city yesterday with a call for enhancing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Thailand.Inaugurating the fair at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), Chittagong, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan urged the Thai government to help narrow down the existing trade gap, which is now heavily in favour of Thailand. Speaking at the function, the minister called upon the Thai government to extend cooperation in organising more exhibitions to familiarise Bangladeshi products with the people of Thailand. Khan lauded the Thai decision on duty concession on 229 Bangladeshi products in Thai market. Bangladesh exported goods worth US$22.79 million to Thailand against an import amounting to US$238.18 from Thailand during 2003-04 fiscal, he mentioned. Khan expected more Thai investment in agro-processing and horticulture sectors in Bangladesh. Direct air link between Chittagong and Chiang Mai has opened up new avenues of opportunities for the business communities as well as tourists from both countries, he said. The government has taken a decision for outsourcing of management, operation and maintenance of Shah Amanat International Airport by Thai Airways, he said hoping that an agreement to this effect would be signed soon between the two governments. Besides, the two countries have also agreed to cooperate and collaborate in hospital management, capacity building in nurse training, tourism, hotel management and agro-business industries, Khan stated Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury attended the ceremony as the special guest. Speaking at the ceremony, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Suphat Chitranukroh invited Bangladeshi businessmen to organise Bangladesh exhibition in Thailand, assuring the businessmen of all-out cooperation on the part of his government in this regard. Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, organized the fair where 39 Thai companies are participating in 46 booths. With the first two days (March 25-26) for those related to trade and the concluding day (March 27) for all including the general public, the show will remain open from 11am to 7pm everyday.
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