The newly appointed Thai Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh, Thitiporn Chirasawadi, has called for greater exports of Bangladeshi products to Thailand during a courtesy meeting with the Board of Directors of the Bangladesh Thai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BTCCI).
During the meeting on Tuesday, BTCCI proposed several initiatives to boost bilateral trade and investment. Key suggestions included lowering tariffs on Bangladeshi exports, launching direct shipping routes between Ranong and Chattogram ports, facilitating regular delegation exchanges, and enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as textiles and RMG, energy, electronics, food processing, seafood, handicrafts, and religious tourism.
The BTCCI also urged Thailand to consider relocating labor-intensive industries like textiles and RMG to Bangladesh, taking advantage of the country’s competitive labor force. The chamber emphasized the vast untapped potential in industries like power and energy, agro-processing, ceramics, and chemicals, and called for joint ventures in these areas.
Ambassador Chirasawadi welcomed the proposals and expressed Thailand’s strong interest in expanding its economic engagement with Bangladesh.
She assured the BTCCI leadership that the Royal Thai Embassy, along with its Thai Trade Center in Dhaka, will work closely with the chamber to advance bilateral business cooperation.
The ambassador also revealed that Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has completed a feasibility study on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh, and expressed hope that Bangladesh’s commerce ministry would finalize its part soon, paving the way for a formal agreement. She also acknowledged the ongoing investments by major Thai companies in Bangladesh as a reflection of Thailand’s confidence in the country’s market potential.
BTCCI President and former DCCI President Shams Mahmud highlighted the long-standing diplomatic and cultural ties between the two nations and urged both sides to work jointly to narrow the existing trade gap. He pointed to areas of opportunity including pharmaceuticals, jute and leather goods, tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, and agriculture.
BTCCI Senior Vice President Md. Munir Hossain called for more joint studies and collaborations in sectors like woven textiles, electronics, and food industries, emphasizing that Bangladesh could become a key sourcing destination for Thai imports.
BTCCI Director (Administration) Tanvir Ahmed stressed the growing demand in Bangladesh’s chemical sector, driven by the RMG industry, and proposed stronger cooperation in automobiles, ceramics, and infrastructure development. He also reiterated the need for improved sea connectivity between the two countries.
Ambassador Chirasawadi concluded the meeting by reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to building a more strategic partnership with Bangladesh, going beyond trade to include investment, connectivity, and sustainable development. She expressed her appreciation for the BTCCI’s proactive role in strengthening bilateral relations.
Other BTCCI directors including Hossain A Sikder, Anowar Hossain Manik, and Md. Nazmul Hossen ACS also participated in the meeting.