DHAKA: The two-way trade between Bangladesh and Hong Kong reached at $1.7 billion in 2016 mostly favoring the island-city.
Bangladesh imported products including telecommunication equipment and fabrics worth $1.5 billion, while its exports were US$ 0.2 billion in the last calendar year. The figures were disclosed at a press conference of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), a Hong Kong-based exhibition organizer, held in a city hotel.
Bangladesh can enhance its trade and business relations with Hong Kong and other Asian countries through participating in different trade shows there, said Johnny Wan, director of Exhibitions Market Development of HKTDC.
Hong Kong is a strategic location and close to China, he said, adding buyers from across the world visited the fairs organized by the company and Bangladeshi suppliers could increase their business connectivity with them.
HKTDC can also be a gateway to raising Bangladesh’s business with China, he noted. “Hong Kong is a business hub and our company arranges more than 30 international exhibitions there annually,” he said, adding the company provided services including connecting customers and providing information.
He suggested local manufactures especially home textiles, garment, food, tea, ICT, use the business hub where tax and port regulation is low but it provides better port facility to expand their businesses.
HKTDC and state-owned Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) last year signed an agreement to enhance trade and business relations between the two countries, he said, adding some 21 local companies would participate in Hong Kong houseware fair and HKTDC Hong Kong International home textile and furnishing fair to be held on April 20-23.
Wan is in Dhaka to explore business and investment opportunities through Hong Kong and deepen economic relations between the two countries.
