The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) is keen to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the apex Spanish trade body to boost bilateral trade. "It is important to develop relations between the businessmen of the two countries. So, the exchange of business information will be easier if the FBCCI has an MoU with the Spanish apex trade body, which was agreed by Spanish Ambassador Francisco de Assis Benitez Salas," FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin said Thursday. "A draft MoU would be sent to the Spanish embassy soon. Bangladesh is an attractive destination for foreign investors not only for exports but also for its huge domestic market," he added. Also read: Bangladesh to gain new commercial facilities post-LDC graduation: FBCCI "Although there is a huge potential to increase trade in Bangladesh, only a few Spanish companies are doing business in Bangladesh. It is possible to increase the trade but for that Bangladesh has to be introduced to the Spanish entrepreneurs," Francisco said while paying a courtesy call on Jashim. "Spain opened a commercial wing in 2018 to strengthen trade ties. A few companies, including Inditex and Zara are doing business in Bangladesh," he added. "However, there are many world-class Spanish companies in several sectors, including agriculture and food processing, machine manufacturing. Many of them do not have the right idea about Bangladesh. So, the possibility of trade relations between the two countries is still untapped." Also read: Bengal Group’s Jashim Uddin elected FBCCI president Announcing the establishment of 100 economic zones across the country, the FBCCI president said, like China, Japan, Korea and India, Spain can select a dedicated economic zone to set up factories. Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, senior vice-president of the FBCCI, highlighted the possibility of joint ventures of businessmen of the two countries for investment in the ceramic and tiles sector. FBCCI vice-presidents MA Momen and Md Habib Ullah Dawn, director Mohammed Riyad Ali and CEO Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque were also present.

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the inaction of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to halt its election process should not be declared illegal. The bench of Justice Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by one of the FBCCI committee members. The rule also asked why a notice of the Commerce Ministry issued on April 7 directing to continue the FBCCI election process would not be declared illegal.    Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan and HM Sanjid Siddique stood for the writ petitioner. The writ was filed as the FBCCI election process was directed to continue amid the surge of coronavirus deaths and infections, said Advocate HM Sanjid Siddique. Voting for the upcoming FBCCI Board of Directors elections is scheduled to be held on May 5.

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) Director Syed Nurul Islam on Saturday urged the government to allow the factories in textiles, garments and accessories sectors to run strictly maintaining health guidelines during the lockdown. Islam, also a director of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said such decision to keep factories operational during lockdown will help the export-oriented sector of the country continue their struggle to sustain amid the Covid-19 situation. Otherwise, he said, the government’s stimulus package or support will go in vain. Also read: Bangladesh again breaks daily Covid death record with 77 The Chairman and CEO of Well Group of Industries made the request in a message sent to media on Saturday. He said if the factories are allowed to operate with strict health guidelines in place, over five million of male and female workers will be able to survive. The government has decided to put the country under a strict lockdown for a week from April 14 amid a growing number of Covid-19 cases. Also read: Worsening Covid crisis: Bangladesh resorting to full lockdown Seventy-seven people died from Covid-19 during 24 hours (till 8am Saturday), according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This is the highest number of deaths due to Covid-19 recorded in a day so far in the country while the number of daily deaths on April 8 was 74.

 

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Sheikh Fazle Fahim on Saturday said there would be new facilities in trade and commerce to be gained from graduating out of the Least Development Countries (LDCs), besides improving the country’s status.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will receive the tax of export-import oriented trade through e-payment system from July 1 this year if the amount is above Tk 2 lakh.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) on Wednesday called upon Finnish companies to manufacture in Bangladesh.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), is going to launch "FBCCI Technology Center" (Tech C) to boost cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) and startups.

Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, a retired additional secretary, has joined as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has hailed Dhaka as a city of opportunity, declaring there are plenty of opportunities to come in the days ahead.