A high-level Thai trade delegation will visit Bangladesh from  13 to 17 July 2024 to explore business avenues with Bangladesh and deepen economic relations between the two countries.

The visit is an outcome of the discussion between Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina during the latter’s official visit to Thailand on 24 – 29 April 2024.

Adviser to the Prime Minister of Thailand and Thailand Trade Representative Nalinee Taveesin will lead a delegation of the Thai private sector to Bangladesh on 13 – 17 July 2024 to explore business opportunities.

Adviser to the Prime Minister of Thailand and Thailand Trade Representative Nalinee Taveesin will hold a meeting with  Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr Hasan Mahmood at the latter’s office and discuss matters of mutual interest.

The Thai delegation visit will see the investment environment and potentials in Bangladesh Special Economic Zone at Araihazar, Sabrang Tourism Park at Teknaf, Korea Export Processing Zone.

The Thai delegation will hold meetings with stakeholders of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Chittagong Port Authority.

The Thailand Trade Representative will be accompanied by 14 prominent companies in various segments including energy, industrial park, agro-industry and real estate. The Royal Thai Embassy will organize a business matching session on 14 July 2024 in collaboration with the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Bangladesh is Thailand’s second largest trading partner and source of tourism in South Asia. In 2023, the trade volume was around 1.18 billion USD.

Around 140,000 Bangladeshis visited Thailand in the same period. Both sides have signed a Letter of Intent to start the negotiation for a free trade agreement within this year. Bangladesh will host the 6th Joint Trade Committee meeting between Thailand and Bangladesh in August 2024 to discuss cooperation to facilitate bilateral trade and boost its volume. Nalinee is former Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the official visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Thailand in April 2024, Nalinee represented the Royal Thai government in seeing off Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina upon her departure at the airport. Thailand Trade Representative is a ministerial rank position appointed by the Prime Minister.

While talking to this correspondent, Thai Ambassador in Dhaka Makawadee Sumitmor said that Thailand regards Bangladesh as an important strategic partner in terms of trade, investment and transportation. Bangladesh was Thailand’s third-largest trading partner in South Asia in 2018, he said

Bangladesh’s export to Thailand stood at 61 million US dollars (61616259.76 US dollars) during the July-May period of 2023-24 fiscal year.

Bangladesh’s export to Thailand stood at 71 million US dollars (71712021.78 US dollars) during July-June 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the data of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh.

The bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Thailand stands $1.2 billion US dollars

Thai investment in Bangladesh during 2006-2019 amounted to $1.5 billion, with much of it going into agro-industrial and agro-processing businesses, construction and hotels.

Bangladeshi direct investment in Thailand in the same period was worth $1.12 million. Meanwhile, a team of highly professional Thai Chefs from Bangkok came to Dhaka as part of the Thai food festival and to prepare an array of mouth-watering authentic Thai Cuisine to bring in the real flavors of Thailand.

Meanwhile, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun urged Thai investors and entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh as the country is developing some 100 special economic zones  to woo investment.

Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun was speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the four-day Thailand trade show at Pan Pacific Sonargaon on Wednesday 

He said that a direct shipping line between Ranong Port of  Thailand and Chittagong Port of Bangladesh will reduce lead time and cost of transportation and help boost the bilateral trade between the two countries.

He said that the government of Bangladesh is exploring every possibility to increase  exports to the ASEAN countries, as the country’s  exports are  heavily dependent on countries in the EU, the USA, Canada and Australia.

 Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmor and Minister Counsellor, Thailand Trade Center Dhaka Khemathat Archawathamrong also spoke on the occasion.

A total of 64 Thai exhibitors and their representatives are taking part in the exhibition at Pan Pacific Sonargaon.

Major categories of products and services displayed at the fairs include Medicare services, Agriculture Machineries, Lubricants, Construction Materials, Airlines, health and beauty products, stationery, households and furniture, food, jewelry, baby products etc.

A team of highly professional Thai chefs from Bangkok are staying at  Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel to prepare an array of mouth-watering authentic Thai cuisine to bring in the real flavours of Thailand, according to a media release.

A group of beautiful Thai dancers are also  performing  their vibrant ‘Thai Dance’ on every event day.

 This cultural show, along with Thai cuisine, is  a wonderful blend of oriental flavours infused with the local taste. High on Thai spice, the festival will surely be a scrumptious feast for food connoisseurs.