The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman left Dhaka for Turkey yesterday to attend the 77th Ijmir International Trade Fair to be held between August 23 and August 31.

The Adviser is leading a four-member delegation to the fair on an invitation from the Industry and Commerce Minister of Turkey Zafar Caglayan.

The other members of the delegation are: Vice Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Sahab Ullah, Joint Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce Mostafa Mohiuddin and Assistant Personal Secretary of the Adviser Hasan Khaled Foysal.

During the visit the delegation members will observe the fair, hold meetings with different government officials, important chambers and businessmen of turkey. They will discuss increased export of Bangladeshi goods to Turkey, more investment of Turkey in Bangladesh and other bilateral issues.

Turkey is being considered as linkage for market expansion to European Union (EU) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries due to its geographical location. Turkey has already extended Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facilities to Bangladesh and it has huge demand of jute, jute goods, leather, shoes, readymade garments and chemical goods.

Nearly US$167.52 million worth goods were exported to Turkey during the 2006-07 fiscal year against US$77.33 million import.