The Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Nigeria, Md Shameem Ahsan, has informed that his visit to Cross River State seeks to explore ways of extending bilateral commercial and economic relations between Nigeria and Bangladesh as well as inform the business community in Cross River state of the enormous opportunities for trade and commercial relations between the two countries.
Ansah made this disclosure, Sunday, October 20, 2019, during an interactive session with the President and Executive members of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, CALCCIMA, in Calabar.
Accompanied by Mohammed Shah Hoque, third Secretary & Head of Chancery of the High Commission, the envoy explained that the Chamber of Bangladesh’s jute, garment and textile, fishery and aquaculture as well as pharmaceutical industries, hopes there can be areas of trade and collaboration with the Calabar Chamber of Commerce and further invited for a Trade Mission to Bangladesh as a way of opening up this relationship.
President of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eta W. Ndoma-Egba, at the occasion, welcomed the High Commissioner heartily noting the similarities both countries share. He applauded Bangladesh for the significant development they have achieved in the short period they have been independent and called for the strengthening of economic and commercial relations between both countries.
While decrying the low level of trade between both countries which stands at $14 million only, Ndoma-Egba, accepted the High Commissioner’s invitation to visit Bangladesh and also identified areas of possible cooperation to include the jute bag industry in Bangladesh and the cocoa & cashew farming industry in the state, the state’s garment factory.
David Etim, a Council member of the Chamber identified and pointed out that the fishing industry will be a quick win for both countries, noting that the Coast of Calabar is one of the most prolific tuna fields in the world and a collaboration and investment in the Canning of Tuna fish in the state would be beneficial to both countries.
Executive Secretary of the Chamber, Kenneth Asim Ittah called on the High Commissioner to facilitate a sister chamber relationship between the Calabar Chamber of Commerce and the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce because of the similarities between both regions and Chambers and the possible commencement of direct shipping services between the Port of Chittagong and Calabar Port as a gateway into Nigeria.
In his contribution, Mr Gabe Onah, Chairman Carnival Commission noted that the High Commissioner had accepted for Bangladesh to participate in the 2019 Christmas festival and would open an investment & cultural booth at the Christmas village. He called on the Calabar Chamber of Commerce to take a stand at the Christmas village and participate as a non-competing band during Carnival Calaba.
Present at the occasion were a past President of the Chamber, Efa Imoke, Vice President, Agric of the Chamber, Mr Muyi Ladoja, among others.
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