Country set to earn $37b from export: Tofail

The country would be able to earn $37 billion from export sector this year which is $2.74 billion higher when compared to the last year, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said yesterday.

“Bangladesh earned $34.26 billion from exports last year and the figure would be more than $60 billion by 2021,” Tofail told reporters after a meeting with the Finland Ambassador in Bangladesh Nina Vaskunlahti at the secretariat in the capital.
Bangladesh will emerge a middle income country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by 2021, he added.
Steps have been taken to increase the number of exportable items along with readymade garment (RMG). The government has given importance to export items like medicines, leather products, ship buildings, jute and agricultural products, Tofail said. 
“The developed countries are now using Bangladesh made medicines. So, there are now huge opportunities for the pharmaceutical industries in Bangladesh,” the commerce minister added. According to the minister, there are many opportunities to increase trade and investments between Bangladesh and Finland. 
“Finland is our friendly state. There are huge demands of Bangladesh’s RMG, ceramic and leather products in Finland markets,” the commerce minister said. 
At this moment there is no significant trade between the two countries, Tofail said, adding Bangladesh exported to Finland only $32.73 million in last year, while Bangladesh imported $84.60 million goods in the same period.
“It is possible to increase the Bangladesh’s export volume if the Finland government cooperated with us”, the commerce minister hoped.
“Bangladesh’s economy is now moving fast. There are excellent investment environment prevailing now in Bangladesh. The government is giving special facilities for foreign investments,” he added. At present, foreign investors are receiving all types of facilities to invest in Bangladesh, he said.
“The skilled labour cost is very cheap in Bangladesh compared to other countries. Investor’s interest is protected under law in the country. The investors from Finland would be profitable in investing Bangladesh taking the opportunities,” Tofail Ahmed added.
Responding commerce minister’s proposal, Nina Vaskunlahti said, “Finland is supplying machineries to power generation and ICT sectors. About 16 companies are working in these sectors.”

Country set to earn $37b from export: Tofail

The country would be able to earn $37 billion from export sector this year which is $2.74 billion higher when compared to the last year, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said yesterday. Bangladesh earned $34.26 billion from exports last year and the figure would be more than $60 billion by 2021, Tofail told reporters after a meeting with the Finland Ambassador in Bangladesh Nina Vaskunlahti at the secretariat in the capital. Bangladesh will emerge a middle income country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by 2021, he added. Steps have been taken to increase the number of exportable items along with readymade garment (RMG). The government has given importance to export items like medicines, leather products, ship buildings, jute and agricultural products, Tofail said. The developed countries are now using Bangladesh made medicines. So, there are now huge opportunities for the pharmaceutical industries in Bangladesh, the commerce minister added. According to the minister, there are many opportunities to increase trade and investments between Bangladesh and Finland. Finland is our friendly state. There are huge demands of Bangladeshs RMG, ceramic and leather products in Finland markets, the commerce minister said. At this moment there is no significant trade between the two countries, Tofail said, adding Bangladesh exported to Finland only $32.73 million in last year, while Bangladesh imported $84.60 million goods in the same period. It is possible to increase the Bangladeshs export volume if the Finland government cooperated with us, the commerce minister hoped. Bangladeshs economy is now moving fast. There are excellent investment environment prevailing now in Bangladesh. The government is giving special facilities for foreign investments, he added. At present, foreign investors are receiving all types of facilities to invest in Bangladesh, he said. The skilled labour cost is very cheap in Bangladesh compared to other countries. Investors interest is protected under law in the country. The investors from Finland would be profitable in investing Bangladesh taking the opportunities, Tofail Ahmed added. Responding commerce ministers proposal, Nina Vaskunlahti said, Finland is supplying machineries to power generation and ICT sectors. About 16 companies are working in these sectors.