FBCCI President to QNA: HH the Amir’s Visit Will Stimulate Private Sector in Both Countries to Establish Strategic Partnerships

President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Mahbubul Alam, confirmed that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Bangladesh represents an incentive for the private sector in the two countries to establish strategic bilateral trade and investment partnerships. In an interview with Qatar News Agency , he expressed his strong belief that the historical visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Bangladesh will bring a new window for Bangladesh, noting that, "it will play a very crucial role in strengthening and facilitating business between the two countries. Like others, the Business community of Bangladesh are also eagerly waiting to welcome HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Bangladesh." The visit serves as a strong impetus for both private sectors to explore new avenues of collaboration, leverage synergies, and capitalize on emerging opportunities across various sectors, he said, add ing that it reinforces the strategic importance of nurturing long-term partnerships that contribute to shared prosperity and mutual benefit. The FBCCI President noted the keenness of the two countries to explore available opportunities to enhance trade exchange, expand investment portfolios, and strengthen economic relations. "We have worked closely with Qatari companies over the past few years to enhance trade between the two countries, and the State of Qatar is now one of our best trade partners in the Gulf region," he noted. Alam stated that trade relations between the two countries began decades ago and received a strong boost in 2005 during the visit of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to Bangladesh, noting that, at that time, His Highness was accompanied by a high-level trade delegation, and many seminars, sessions and discussions were organized that focused on promoting trade and business. He noted that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the FBCCI and the Qata r Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the visit to foster the development and diversification of economic cooperation between the two countries. He stated that there is still huge untapped potential between Bangladesh and Qatar, adding, "to explore the business potentials, organizing the single country trade fair both in Bangladesh and Qatar would be instrumental. Frequent Exchange of business delegation is necessary for identifying the scope and potentials of the new and emerging business areas between Bangladesh and Qatar. Trade-related capacity building and technical cooperation also need to be initiated." He noted that Qatar may share its expertise to Bangladesh in the field of Infrastructure, energy, ports management, natural gas exploration and technology transfer, pointing out that, "a joint trade commission needs to be formed for promoting trade and investment between two countries." He said that Bangladesh offers a diverse array of investment sectors that serve as a compelling starting point fo r enhancing partnerships between the private sectors of Qatar and Bangladesh, most notably of which are the sectors of energy, infrastructure, technology, halal products, agricultural industries, and others. "We hope that investors from Qatar will continue to consider the enormous commercial and investment potential mentioned above, in addition to energy and electricity," he said, noting that the government has established 100 economic zones, 28 IT parks and different sectoral parks like RMG, leather, plastic, 3 special tourism parks in Chittagong division and API Park; all these have huge room for investment. "A lot of companies from Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea are investing here, he said, adding, "I would like to invite the investors of Qatar to explore the huge potential of our country. It will be a win-win deal for both of us. Geographical advantage also makes Bangladesh, the gateway of South Asia and ASEAN countries and very close to China. Government has undertaken a number of mega pro jects to improve connectivity to enable faster movement of goods and people globally." The FBCCI President also praised the investment opportunities presented in Qatar during their engagements with the Qatari private sector, noting that they are highly appealing to foreign investors, including those from Bangladesh. "Qatar's strategic focus on infrastructure development, technology innovation, and sustainable growth initiatives, coupled with its robust regulatory framework and investor-friendly policies, positions it as an attractive destination for investment. The government's commitment to facilitating ease of doing business and providing comprehensive support to investors further enhances the attractiveness of Qatar's investment landscape. Foreign investors, including those from Bangladesh, can leverage these opportunities to diversify their portfolios, mitigate risks, and achieve sustainable growth in partnership with Qatari counterparts." In a related context, he stressed the necessity for the establish ment of a Qatari-Bangladeshi business council or similar mechanisms aimed at accelerating cooperation and building partnerships between the two countries. Such initiatives hold immense potential in strengthening the relationship between businesses in Qatar and Bangladesh. By institutionalizing platforms for dialogue and engagement, both sides can effectively address challenges, explore synergies, and capitalize on emerging opportunities across various sectors, he said, adding that, "the launch of a business council would signify a milestone in enhancing communication and partnership between our two countries." The FBCCI President said that the relations with the private sector in the GCC countries, including Qatar, is characterized by a shared commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable economic development. "I believe, to enhance and deepen these relations, it is essential to adopt a multifaceted approach that encompasses regular dialogue, knowled ge sharing, and cultural exchange. By leveraging each other's strengths, expertise, and market insights, the businesses of the GCC countries and Bangladesh can explore new avenues of cooperation and capitalize on emerging opportunities across diverse sectors," he said, noting that strengthening these relations also requires sustained engagement, proactive collaboration, and a shared vision for driving economic prosperity and sustainable development. The FBCCI President concluded his interview with QNA by reiterating the commitment of his country's private sector to work closely with its counterpart in Qatar to confront challenges and explore opportunities through cooperation and partnership, collaboration between Qatar and Bangladesh remains pivotal in driving sustainable economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating value for both nations a midst the uncertainties surrounding global economic dynamics Source: Qatar News Agency