Bangladesh on Thursday stepped up efforts to attract more Thai investment, with Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir urging businesses from Thailand to expand their presence in sectors ranging from agro-processing to automotive components.
Speaking at the opening of the three-day Top Thai Brands 2026 exhibition in Dhaka on Thursday, the minister said stronger trade and investment ties could unlock significant untapped opportunities between the two countries.
He invited Thai companies to invest in agro-processing, tourism, leather, ready-made garments, automotive components and rubber products, citing Bangladesh’s strategic location, large consumer market, skilled workforce and investment-friendly policies.
The minister also said Bangladesh is keen to increase exports of pharmaceuticals, processed foods, eco-friendly jute products, leather goods and light engineering products to Thailand.
“Although bilateral trade has expanded, there is still substantial scope to deepen trade and investment,” Muktadir said, describing Thailand as one of Bangladesh’s important trading partners.
He said trade exhibitions play a broader role than showcasing products by creating direct business links among manufacturers, exporters, importers, distributors, investors and entrepreneurs.
Muktadir said the government is working to improve the business climate through trade facilitation, infrastructure development, digitalisation and stronger connectivity with global markets, adding that responsible foreign investment would support industrial development, technology transfer and job creation.
He also encouraged Thai exhibitors to strengthen partnerships with Bangladeshi businesses while urging local companies to explore new export opportunities in Thailand.
Thailand’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Thitiporn Chirasawadi, officials of the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka, representatives of participating Thai companies, business leaders and entrepreneurs attended the inauguration.
The exhibition, organised by Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce with support from the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka, features 57 Thai companies.
The three-day exhibition will continue until July 25 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka and remain open to visitors daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm.
