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Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BMCCI) and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) jointly organized a preparatory meeting at EPB Conference Room on 1st August, 2007. Mr. Md. Shahab Ullah, Vice Chairman, EPB presided over the meeting while H.E. Dato Abdul Malek bin Abdul Aziz, High Commissioner of Malaysia in Bangladesh attended as Special Guest Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, BMCCI also remained present in the meeting.
BMCCI President in his statement mentioned that BMCCI is ready to render any possible assistance to narrow down existing trade imbalance between Bangladesh and Malaysia. He laid importance on undertaking aggressive marketing efforts including organizing trade fairs & exhibitions, business delegations, market survey, seminars, business forums etc. In this context, he urged upon the Malaysian High Commissioner to pursue his Government for extending duty-free access facilities for Bangladeshi products into Malaysia. He also requested the High Commissioner to take necessary action for simplification of the visa procedure so that Bangladeshi businessmen can visit Malaysia frequently on business purposes. Participating in the discussion Syed Moazzam Hossain, Hony. Secretary General, BMCCI indicated the experience of his recent visit to Malaysia and made a brief statement on the discussions he had with the representatives of the MASSA, MIDA and MATRADE. He informed the meeting that MATRADE would organize Malaysia International Trade Fair (INTRADE Malaysia 2007) in Kuala Lumpur during 12-15 November, 2007. So Bangladeshi manufacturers & exporters can avail the opportunity to participate in that important event. In course of their discussion, the participants of the meeting stated that they are facing non-tariff barriers in case of their export to Malaysia at the same time, most of the participants showed keen interest to participate in the INTRADE Malaysia 2007.
H.E. the Malaysian High Commissioner in his statement informed the meeting that the Government of Malaysia is considering removing the tariff and non-tariff barriers phase by phase. The High Commissioner also assured that they would issue Multiple Entry Visa in favour of Bangladeshi businessmen for three years basis to facilitate their business visits. He also stated that Bangladesh could use its huge natural resources and manpower for the country's development. He pointed out that products like Halal Meat has huge demand in the world market as well as in Malaysia. Bangladesh should try to grab the market. As regards existing trade gap he said that we should increase our import from Bangladesh in terms of value and volume.
On that occasion a Mini Exhibition of Bangladesh exportable products was arranged beside the Conference Room of EPB. A wide range of high quality exportable products were put on display in the mini-exhibition which includes Home textiles, RMG, Leather goods & footwear, ceramic table ware, melamine and plastic goods, jute goods, pharmaceutical products, dry cell battery, cosmetics & toiletries, light engineering products, a good variety of handicrafts items etc.
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