The Commonwealth of Independent States-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday urged the government to take proactive measures to address the obstacles hindering business transactions between Bangladesh and CIS countries.
At a meeting with state minister for planning Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker at his office in the capital Dhaka, CIS-BCCI president Mohammad Ali Deen said that efforts in this regard were crucial to fostering the economic growth of Bangladesh.
The newly elected board of directors of CIS-BCCI led by its president held a meeting with the state minister.
The trade body briefed the state minister about activities of the CIS-BCCI for promoting the trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and CIS countries, including Russia, in a bid to diversify the export market.
In the meeting, Mohammad Ali said that that the main impediment to business transactions between Bangladesh and the CIS countries was the absence of banking channel.
He outlined that the finance ministry, the commerce ministry and the Bangladesh Bank should take appropriate steps to streamline financial and banking cooperation between Russia and the other CIS countries and Bangladesh.
He emphasised carrying forward objectives of the two protocols that were signed at the IGC (Inter-Governmental Commission) meetings between Bangladesh and Russia.
Mohammad Ali also mentioned the mutual regulatory cooperation, harmonisation of trade rules and setting up necessary infrastructures, including warehouses and distribution network between Bangladesh and CIS countries.
The state minister assured of all-out support from his ministry in this respect and suggested a detailed action plan, both short term and long term, for augmenting trade links with CIS countries.
CIS-BCCI vice-president Jadab Debnath, directors Abdul Latif Sarker, Enamul Haque and Khan Md Iqbal, adviser Mahbub Islam Runu and secretary Mustafa Mohiuddin also attended the meeting.
