A delegation comprising high officials of different ministries of the Nigerian government paid a visit to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Monday (January 16, 2023). The delegation included Abubakar Aliyu Aziz, director general of the National Identity Management Commission, MaskaUbale Ahmed Shehi, executive commissioner of the Communications Commission, Alhassan Haru, director of Communications Commission, and Roberts Moses Achanya, president of the Nigeria-Bangladesh Trade and Technology Forum. BGMEA Director Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Vice-President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan and Fakir Fashion Managing Director Fakir Kamruzzaman Nahid were also present. Read more: Bangladesh, Nigeria to explore possibility of signing framework agreement on FTA or PTA They had discussions about possible areas of collaboration between Bangladesh and Nigeria for bilateral trade benefits, particularly in the apparel and textile industry. Faruque said there is potential to import more cotton from Nigeria which is a cotton-producing nation. "Nigeria is also a potential market for Bangladesh's apparel export." He called upon the Nigerian government to reduce import duty on readymade garments (RMG) from Bangladesh and requested cooperation from the delegation in this regard. Read More: Bangladesh, Nigeria to explore possibility of signing framework agreement on FTA or PTA

Bangladesh and Nigeria agreed to explore possibilities of contract farming in the African country by Bangladeshi farmers as well as collaboration in agro and food processing, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday. Nigeria also proposed that both countries collaborate in freelancing areas and digital services such as national Identification documents. At the invitation of Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, a 17-member government and private sector delegation of Nigeria is in Dhaka now. The Nigerian delegation, led by Communication and Digital Economy Minister Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, comprises government representatives from the economic, trade and investment department, Communication and National Identity Management commissions, the education department, the High Commission of Nigeria in New Delhi, private sector representatives from the Nigeria-Bangladesh Trade and Technology Forum and businessmen. The Bangladesh delegation includes high officials of commerce and foreign ministries. The Nigerian delegation will have several meetings with government sectors like the ICT Division, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority. Read more: Bangladesh, Nigeria sign MoU on establishing bilateral consultations mechanism It will also have meetings with private sector representatives like Beximco, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Today, the delegation visited Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum in the evening and paid tribute to the Father of the Nation. The delegation met with Momen at State Guest House Padma. During the meeting, the foreign minister cited the remarkable achievement of Bangladesh during the last decade in the socio-economic sectors, including women's empowerment. Bangladesh is maintaining robust economic growth despite the existing global economic crisis, he said. Momen briefed the Nigerian delegation about Bangladesh's performance in the digital sector especially, in the rapidly growing IT sectors and opportunities in the Bangladeshi hi-tech parks. At the meeting, Momen pointed out that the D-8 countries should accelerate efforts to increase mutual trade. He sought continued support from Nigeria on the Rohingya issue. Pantami also had a brief discussion with State Minister Md Shahriar Alam where both sides reflected on ongoing bilateral cooperation, especially, the need of enhancing people-to-people contact. Read more: Bangladesh, Nigeria to explore possibility of signing framework agreement on FTA or PTA