Dhaka, Nov 28 (Agency) The India-Bangladesh CEO forum, which has been established to promote mutual investment will be holding its meeting soon, said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Speaking virtually on the occasion of the inauguration of the Bangladesh International Investment Summit (BIIS) in Dhaka on Sunday, Goyal said India is developing two economic zones at Mirsarai and Mongla in Bangladesh. Over 350 Indian companies are registered in Bangladesh providing jobs and economic activity in the country. Highlighting the initiatives to promote trade and investment between the two countries, the Commerce Minister said India-Bangladesh Textile Industry Forum (IBTIF) has been set up to facilitate the cooperation in the textile sector. He said the invitation to 50 young entrepreneurs of Bangladesh extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh will further augment the ties between the two countries.
The Minister suggested trade, technology, connectivity, entrepreneurship, health and tourism as the focus areas for further strengthening India-Bangladesh relationship. He said Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia with a volume of over USD 10 billion of trade and the two countries are looking to advance the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Appreciating the fact that uninterrupted supply chain was maintained between India and Bangladesh even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Minister said that the effort to further improve connectivity is imperative for expansion of bilateral trade and realisation of the investment potential between the two countries. Speaking about the friendship between the two countries, the Minister said it has evolved into a strategic partnership with multifaceted and key collaboration in trade, investment, food security and technology. He said the bilateral relationship is reaching new heights due to the collective effort, wisdom and strong bonds of friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.