Speech for Hon'ble Foreign Minister to be delivered
on the occasion of the inauguration of "Thailand
Exhibition 2005" in Chittagong at 1100 hrs on
25 March 2005.
Your
Excellency
Ambassador Mr. Suphat Chitranukroh
Distinguish Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am indeed happy to be present here in the inaugural
ceremony of "Thailand Exhibition 2005" organized
by the Thai Embassy in Bangladesh. The Exhibition
will provide a window of opportunity to familiarize
Thai products in Bangladesh as well as enhance interactions
among the business communities of the two countries.
I believe that such exposition will contribute significantly
to the development of sustainable trade between two
friendly countries.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
The people of Bangladesh are watching with admiration
the progress made in Thailand under the dynamic leadership
of Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra. During the last three and
half years, Bangladesh-Thailand relation has reached
a new height. It is unprecedented that Prime Minister
Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra personally came to this exquisitely
beautiful city to accompany the Hon'ble Prime Minister
begum Khaleda Zia to Chiang Mai at the inaugural flight
between Chittagong and Chiang Mai.
Chittagong is the business hub of Bangladesh. The
Chittagong-Chiang Mai direct air link service has
already brought the peoples of these twin cities more
closer. Apart from the Thai Airways, Phuket Airways-a
private company has also started flights between these
two cities. The direct air-link has opened up new
avenues of opportunity for the business communities
as well as the tourists of the two countries. The
Thai nationals may visit Bangladesh for business purposes
as well as to see the Buddhist relics in Chittagong
and its adjoining areas.
The present government of Hon'ble Prime Minister Begum
Khaleda Zia has taken the 'Look East' policy, which
has very well blended with the initiative of the Thai
Prime Minister to bring the two countries closer.
I am convinced that it will further cement existing
ties and progressively widen our bilateral cooperation
in the years ahead.
Excellency,
I thank the Thai government for its decision to allow
duty concession on 229 items of Bangladeshi products
to enter the Thai market. While announcing the offer
of duty concession H. E. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra rightly
said that the offer was made to attain sustainable
trade between the two friendly countries. It is in
this spirit that the government of Thailand would
extend necessary cooperation to organize more Bangladeshi
exhibitions in Thailand to familiarize our products
among the Thai consumers to help narrow down the existing
trade gap, which is in favour of Thailand. During
2003-04, Bangladesh imported US$ 238.18 million worth
of goods from Thailand while Bangladesh export to
Thailand amounted to US $22.79 million.
Bangladesh Government has already taken a decision
for outsourcing of management, operation and maintenance
of Shah Amanat Airport by Thai International Airways
Ltd. We hope that an agreement in this regard will
be signed soon between the two countries. Apart from
the above, the two countries have also agreed to cooperate
and collaborate in hospital management, capacity building
in Nurses' training, tourism, hotel management and
agro based industries.
Distinguish
Guests,
Our present government attaches great importance to
social development and economic growth. We have taken
several steps to attract foreign investments to Bangladesh.
First, the FDI regime in Bangladesh is at present
the most liberal in South Asia in terms of policy,
regulatory and legal framework. Second, we also offer
an excellent package of incentives. Thus, Bangladesh
is the only country in South Asia, which allows 100
per cent foreign equity. We are happy that Thai entrepreneurs
have made considerable investment in Bangladesh. So
far, 28 Thai companies have registered with the BOI
for fully owned investment or joint venture investment
in various sectors such as textile, agro-based industries,
food and allied, chemicals, engineering and service
sectors; some of which are in operation and others
are at different stages of implementation. The amount
that has been committed by these companies is recorded
at around US$ 54 million. Considering the above liberal
policy and incentives packages offered by our government,
we hope that Thailand would invest more in agro-processing
and horticulture sectors in Bangladesh.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Before I conclude, I once again thank Your Excellency
for providing me this opportunity to be present here
today. I wish the Thailand Exhibition 2005 a grand
success.
Thank you.
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