‘Showcase Malaysia’ to help fortify ties: Envoy

Malaysian High Commissioner in Dhaka Norlin Othman said on Tuesday that lots of positive things are happening between Bangladesh and Malaysia and the ‘Showcase Malaysia’ is an opportunity for Dhaka to show what it has to offer for its counterpart.“Lots of positive things are happening…sometimes good news doesn’t get published. We need to bring it (positive things) forward,” she told a press conference at Sonargaon Hotel.

The envoy said almost 50 businesspeople will arrive here to attend the showcase which is an opportunity to have business matchmaking for collaboration in prospective areas like health, education, food, automobile and others.

Responding to a question, the Malaysian envoy said relationship does not depend on some (trade) figures. “Those are an aspect of a relationship.”

Bangladesh exported goods worth US$ 56.11 million while imported goods worth US$ 1,381.7 million from Malaysia in 2011-2012 fiscal year, according to the BMCCI data. The Malaysian investment in Bangladesh has stood at US$ 1.77 billion so far.

Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) arranged a press conference at the hotel to brief the media about the Showcase Malaysia-2013 beginning in the city on Thursday.

BMCCI President Syed Nurul Islam, Secretary General M Alamgir Jalil, Vice President of Robi Muhiuddin Babar and Green Delta adviser ASA Muiz, were, among others, present.

The envoy reiterated her call for diversifying Bangladesh’s export and products to minimise the chronic trade gap with Malaysia which is hugely in favour of Malaysia right now.

“You must diversify export, products and need to concentrate on high-end finished products to minimise the trade gap,” Norlin Othman said.

The products that Bangladesh is buying from Malaysia are high priced products while Malaysia is buying products, mostly low priced ones like textile and others that cause the trade deficit.

The BMCCI President said trade with Malaysia has been on the rise for the last six months and Bangladesh needs to shift from traditional products and concentrate on the products that Malaysia needs for minimising the trade gap with Malaysia. “Of course, there’s a trade gap. But our export is growing in Malaysia.”

Asked about political instability, he said, “We, the bilateral chambers, have already called upon the political parties to stop violence. We don’t want violence. We want a peaceful environment for smooth business.”

Alamgir Jalil said the fair will have focus on tourism and healthcare sectors this time and informed that there will be four important seminars focusing SME, healthcare, tourism and investment climate.

Industries Minister Dilip Barua will inaugurate the fair on Thursday morning as the chief guest, he said.

BMCCI in collaboration with High Commission of Malaysia in Bangladesh, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia and Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) will arrange the fair, aiming to boost Malaysian investment here and make the trade ties between the countries stronger.

President of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Kazi Akram uddin Ahmed, Malaysian High Commissioner in Dhaka Norlin Binti Othman will, among others, be present at the inaugural session.

The Showcase Malaysia 2013 will be the third single-country exhibition for Malaysia in Bangladesh. (Source: UNB)

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