3rd D-8 ministerial conf ‘can help brand Bangladesh’

Industries Minister Dilip Barua on Wednesday said the third D-8 (developing-eight) ministerial conference to be held here in October will create a platform for giving a boost to trade and investment within the member countries.

“It’s an opportunity to make business linkage…you’ve active role to play,” he told business leaders at a preparatory meeting at Shilpa Bbaban.

He said the three-day event that will begin on October 8 will help brand Bangladesh in the industrial sector, and sought cooperation from all, especially from the private sector, in making the event a success.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the conference to be held at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel.

Additional Industries Secretary ABM Khorshed Alam and Khobdkar Rakibur Rahman, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President AK Azad, Vice President Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Asif Ibrahim, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Secretary General Faroque Ahmed, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) Vice President Hasina Newaz and ICC,B representative Ajay Bihari Saha, among others, took part in the meeting.

Barua also said the conference will help attract investment, both in joint ventures and direct, and expand Bangladesh's export market to the member countries.

Assuring the Industries Minister of providing full support, AK Azad said, “It’s a prestigious event for us. We’ll extend all-out cooperation. I’ll write letters to all chambers and associations asking them to help.”

The Industries Ministry is hosting the event with an aim to promote economic cooperation and recommend ways to cope with future challenges.

Barua said there will be a series of bilateral meetings with ministers from the D-8 member countries during the three-day conference, which are expected to usher in a new era for Bangladesh's industrial development.

He said there will be 11 meetings on the sidelines of the meet on different sectors, including readymade garments, automotive and cement, ICT, energy and environmental conservation, food industries and technology cooperation.

Experts, entrepreneurs, business leaders and government officials will take part in the meeting.

Ministers from eight countries along with two senior officials from each country will take part in the event.

The event is also aimed at providing an opportunity for the member states to exchange their experiences, facilitate trade among them and promote trade within the group, the government hopes.

The Developing-8, comprising Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey, seeks development cooperation among the member states.

The second D-8 industries ministers' meeting was held in Istanbul, Turkey from October 4-6 last year while the first round in Iran.