The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

China is keen to invest in fabric manufacturing industry in country's EPZs and establish Textile and Apparel Trade Centre with a view to contributing to balancing bilateral trade tilted heavily towards china.

A 17-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) showed the interest during a meeting with senior officials of Export Promotion Bureau here recently. CCCT Vice chairman Cao Xinyu and EPB Vice chairman Shahab Ullah co-chaired the meeting held on Wednesday, said a press release Cao Xinyu mentioned the purposes of the CCCT delegation's visit to Bangladesh. These are : promoting communication and cooperation between Chinese and Bangladesh textile, apparel and ancillary industries, exploring the possibility of investing in the fabric manufacturing and study the market for Chinese fabrics and establishing Textile and Apparel Trade Centre in Bangladesh. Shahab Ullah urged the delegation to come forward to invest in Bangladesh particularly in the textile and apparel sector with a view to easing chronic trade imbalance with China referring to FY 2006-07' s total export of US$ 92.99 million and import of US$ 2537.16 million to and from China.

He briefly outlined the role of EPB in promoting export trade of the country apart from highlighting the salient features of the current Export Policy 2006-09, investment incentives and facilities available in the country, duty-free, quota-free market access provided to Bangladesh by the developed country.

He also communicated to the delegation about major export items from Bangladesh to China like raw jute and leather, woven garments, frozen fish, shrimps and jute goods, and major import items from China like animal products, vegetable products, animal/vegetable fats and oils, prepared food stuffs, manufactured tobacco and, mineral and chemical products.