‎ASEAN markets still unexplored, Total export to the region is less one $1 billion US dollars ‎

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Bangladesh’s export to ASEAN countries remain insignificant over the years despite the government initiatives to boost export beyond the traditional markets of USA, European Union (EU), UK, Canada, Japan and Australia, said policy-makers, business leaders and diplomats  
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‎Bangladesh's exports in the fiscal year 2024-2025 (July 2024-June 2025) reached approximately $48.28 billion, showing an 8.58% year-on-year growth, driven primarily by strong Readymade Garments (RMG) growth, according to Export Promotion Bureau of (EPB) Bangladesh’s total export to ASEAN countries hover at 1.00-2.00 per cent in the same period and stands less than one billion US dollars, according to Export Promotion Bureau of (EPB).
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‎The member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) exported goods worth 10529.8 million US dollars (16.7% of total import)  to Bangladesh during 2023-24 fiscal year as against USD 11349.8 million (16.6% of total import ) during the preceding year.
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‎Bangladesh should explore new markets and new products with a view to reducing dependence on traditional beyond the traditional markets of USA, European Union (EU), UK, Canada, Japan and Australia, said a top officer of Export Promotion Bureau(EPB)
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‎Bangladesh exported goods worth 61 million Us dollars (61845064.3 US dollars)  to Thailand, 56 million US dollars (56710572.62 US dollars)  to Indonesia, 13.00 million US dollars (1276453.48  US dollars)  to  Brunei, 110.00 million US dollars (109201005.8  US dollars)  to  Singapore, 86.00 million US dollars (85650629.08US dollars)  to  the Philippines and 34.00 million US dollars (34834060.59US dollars)  to  Myanmar    during July-June period of the 2024-25 fiscal  year , according to data of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB)
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‎President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) said that country’s total exports to ASEAN countries will increase gradually provided Bangladesh signs free trade garment (FTA) with the region.
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‎Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) is the Managing Director of Evince Group, one of the largest garment producers in Bangladesh.  He was also president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh   (BGMEA)
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‎Former president of the Bangladesh –Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) Alamgir Jalil while talking to this correspondent said that Bangladesh can groom human sources to cater to the Malaysian labour market. He said that Bangladesh has export semi-conductor to Malaysia.  He said that Mohammed Enayetur Rahman, President and CEO of ULKASEMI, has one office in Bangladesh  and three offices in USA.
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‎Meanwhile, Thailand has expressed strong interest in opening negotiations on a bilateral free-trade agreement with Bangladesh, a move that could significantly expand trade and encourage Thai investment, as Dhaka intensifies efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic engagement with South-east Asia.
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‎The newly-appointed Thai ambassador to Bangladesh, Thithiporn Chirasawadi, conveyed Bangkok's position during her first courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus  this month at the state guest house Jamuna, according to officials familiar with the meeting.
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‎The ambassador said that both countries were also working towards launching a direct shipping route between Thailand's Ranong port and Bangladesh's Chittagong port, a development expected to strengthen maritime connectivity and reduce logistical costs.
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‎The service is likely to begin in March, following talks between shipping authorities scheduled for February.
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‎During the meeting, the two sides discussed a broad range of issues aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations, including trade and investment cooperation, maritime connectivity, the prevention of online scams, multilateral engagement and people-to-people exchanges.
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‎Yunus, who has long-standing professional ties with Thailand, expressed optimism that relations between the two countries would deepen during Chirasawadi's tenure.
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‎He also reiterated the interim government's priority of securing Bangladesh's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the 11-member regional bloc that has emerged as a major global economic and trade hub. Yunus said Dhaka hoped Thailand would support its bid, noting that Bangladesh had already applied to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the organisation.
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‎"We take it very seriously. It will connect South Asia with Southeast Asia," Yunus said, underlining the strategic significance of Bangladesh's proposed ASEAN membership.
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‎The Chief Adviser further emphasised the need for easier visa access for Bangladeshi nationals, pointing to a growing number of Bangladeshis travelling to Thailand for medical treatment, business, education and tourism.
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‎Meanwhile, Thai trade counsellor in Dhaka Khemathat Archawathamrong while talking to this correspondent said that Thailand is interested to sign free trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh in a bid to increase bilateral trade as tariff and non-tariff barriers stand in the way of promoting business potentials between the two countries.
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‎Meanwhile, ASEAN diplomats recently visited ICC Bangladesh and held a meeting with ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman and Vice Presidents A K Azad and Naser Ezaz Bijoy recently.
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‎Rahman thanked the diplomats for giving the opportunity to brief them about the global activities of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, and ICC Bangladesh, says a statement.
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‎Citing poor exports to ASEAN countries, ICC Bangladesh President  Mahbubur Rahman urged the ASEAN countries to reduce the trade gap. He urged the ASEAN diplomats to actively promote the inclusion of Bangladesh in ASEAN and laid emphasis on signing free trade agreements (FTAs) with the region.
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‎At the meeting, the ICC Bangladesh President highlighted Bangladesh's economic growth, investment-friendly policies, and opportunities in key industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and energy sectors.
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‎Nguyen Manh Cuong, Chair of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee and Ambassador of Vietnam to Bangladesh, thanked the ICC Bangladesh President for inviting the ASEAN diplomats to ICC Bangladesh. The ASEAN Dhaka committee comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
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‎The ambassador pointed out that ASEAN considers Bangladesh as a country having vast opportunity of expanding its exports to ASEAN.
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‎Bangladesh needs to diversify its products and arrange promotion of its products in these countries, he added.
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‎During the meeting, the participants highlighted the importance of establishing direct air connectivity and coastal shipping routes to enhance trade.
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‎The Indonesian representative expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh's solar power sector.
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‎The participants suggested that ASEAN countries could promote tourism and invest in the service sector, particularly in developing skilled manpower to meet the global demand.