DHAKA: Visiting Slovenian Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Tanja Strnisa yesterday said her government will take steps to increase import of RMG products as there is huge demand of Bangladesh apparel products. Meanwhile, Bangladesh government assures taking necessary steps to enhance RMG export to the European country. Tanja Strnisa came up with the remarks after meeting with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at his office in Dhaka.
According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, in the last fiscal year, Bangladesh export to Slovenia stood at US$39.17 million and it is dominated by the clothing products. Of the total amount, $34.60 million came from the RMG sector while Bangladesh imported products worth $15.20 million from Slovenia.
“Bangladesh readymade garment sector is doing well and its quality is good. In Slovenia, there is huge demand of Bangladeshi apparel products,” said Tanja Strnisa. We will take initiatives to import clothing products from the country, said Tanja Strnisa. Bangladesh can use our ports as it would provide benefits to the country to enter the other member countries of the EU, added the deputy minister. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said: “Bangladesh will take steps to increase export to Slovenia as there is huge demands for Bangladeshi products.”
“Bangladesh- Slovenia bilateral trade is $54.37 billion and it is in favor of us, which can be increased manifolds. The government will take all the necessary steps to increase export to the country,” said Tofail. Currently, Bangladesh enjoys duty free market access to the country under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) as it is a member of European Union.
Though the trade volume is small but the potentiality is unlimited. Business to business meeting and government initiatives can help to devise ways to increase the trade and commerce, which would be taken soon, said Ahmed. Meanwhile, the Slovenia has proposed Bangladesh to use its ports to ship products to the other EU member countries. Senior Commerce Secretary Hedyetullah Al Mamoon was also present at the meeting.
