'We are not only friendly but also brotherly countries', said the Ambassador, while addressing the Executive Committee and members of FCCI. He told that there exists greater potential for joint venture and investment opportunities in the areas of industrial sector and agriculture in Bangladesh where government policies are much conducive in addition to availability of cheaper labour, uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas and a lot of incentives offered to the industries with preferential treatment to foreign investors.
He said that Pakistan was historically strong in textiles' manufacturing and Bangladesh was also getting strength in the textile ready-made garments with special edge of GSP/GSP plus conferred to it by EU countries. Elaborating the Ambassador said that there is almost least duty for raw material imports, five year tax holiday to the foreign investors and government was giving much importance to industrial and agricultural sectors being Bangladesh a growing economy.
He said that Bangladesh Embassy was ready to lend any support for Pakistani business community for setting up or relocation of their industries to Bangladesh. He informed that other areas of investment and joint ventures are electrical, information technology, sports, pharmaceuticals, and ceramics.
He said that we know each other, well versed of the cultural and living styles in both the countries with few hours' flights from Karachi and Lahore to Dhaka and Chitagong. Responding to the proposal from President FCCI he said that single-country exhibitions may be planned in Faisalabad, Lahore and Karachi for increasing the bilateral trade and economic activities.
The Ambassador pointed out that Bangladesh government has focused on the education and particularly to the female education and planning for population control. Responding to a proposal, the Ambassador told that he would try his best to make possible visit of Bangladesh Cricket Team to Pakistan.