A delegation led by the European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, has held a meeting with Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir.
The meeting took place at the commerce minister’s office in the Secretariat on Wednesday.
The meeting involved detailed discussions on various aspects of trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the European Union.
The commerce minister stated that the European Union is an important trade partner for Bangladesh. Bangladesh will work to ensure that bilateral trade relations become even stronger in the future.
Abdul Muktadir said, “We want to facilitate business and investment. The economy was stagnant for the past 3 years, and investment didn’t come as expected. Every year, 2 million people enter the workforce in our country; we want to make this country investment-friendly. You will see that in the coming days.” On this occasion, he called for increasing European Union investment in Bangladesh.
Michael Miller said the European Union wants to accelerate trade relations with Bangladesh. He sought the Commerce Minister’s cooperation in removing non-tariff barriers. At the same time, he emphasized increasing diversification in Bangladesh’s export products.
The ambassador stated that partnership with European countries will continue with Bangladesh. He also called for ensuring a level playing field in bilateral trade and commerce.
State Minister for Commerce Md Shariful Alam, Additional Secretary (Export) Md Abdur Rahim Khan, and Additional Secretary (FTA) Ayesha Akhtar were present at the time.
The European Union delegation included the Ambassador of Spain, Gabriel Sistiaga; the Ambassador of Denmark, Christian Brix Moller; the Ambassador of France, Frédéric Inza; the Ambassador of Sweden, Nicolas Weeks; the Ambassador of Italy, Antonio Alessandro; the Ambassador of Germany, Rüdiger Lotz; the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Joris van Bommel; and the European Union’s Trade Adviser, Abu Said Belal.
