By NNN-BSS
Dhaka : The visiting First Vice Foreign Minister of Laos, Phongsavath Boupha, Sunday called upon Bangladeshi businessmen to promote trade relations between the two countries.
He gave the call while exchanging views with leaders of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at Sheraton Hotel.
Ambassador of Laos Ly Bounkham, who represents his country to Bangladesh from New Delhi, and Deputy Director General of the Asia-Pacific and African Department of the Laos government Khamvone Phanouvong were also present on the occasion.
Acting DCCI President Md Shahjahan Khan presided over the meeting. Former DCCI President, who is also current President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman, former President Rashed Maksud Khan, and directors of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Benazir Ahmed, MH Rahman and MA Kashem attended the meeting.
The visiting Laotian minister emphasised the need for closer business ties between the two countries and urged the Bangladeshi business leaders to identify the mutual areas of trading and investment from both sides.
He introduced M Saidur Rahman, a local businessman as the consul general of his country to Dhaka, and said Bangladesh would also appoint a consul general soon to his country to help promote business and investment from both sides.
Boupha asked the DCCI leaders to take a business delegation to Laos while the Bangladesh side also suggested the Laotian minister to send a business delegation here so that both sides can know the business prospects available in their countries.
He said his country is exploring prospects for importing pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh. The Bangladesh sides said Laos can also import ceramic and leather products from a host of other commodities available here.
The Laotian minister said his country is having vast arable land lying unused. He said Japanese investors are developing farms in his country to produce fine rice while the Chinese investors are raising new tea plantations.
The Laotian government is encouraging tree plantation and mining including gas exploration, he said, adding the country is also having many tourism attractions.
Ambassador Ly Bounkham said his country is having the biggest hydro-electricity potentials and already exporting 300 MW power to Thailand. The Thai intake would increase to 3,000 MW in 2009 and 7,000 by 2012. Vietnam will buy another 3,000 MW he said adding the six million population country is open for business and investment.
Referring to various business sectors, the DCCI president said Laos can be a good business partner and its potentials need to be exploited to the mutual benefit of both the countries. He said once land routes will be opened through Myanmar to Thailand, access to this land locked would become easier.
He said this is the first visit of a Laotian minister to Bangladesh and hoped this visit would open new gates to growing business.