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Building trade bridges between Wales and Bangladesh

A 25 strong business delegation from Wales will arrive in Dhaka on Sunday 25 January to drive forward business relations between Wales and Bangladesh

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

A 25 strong business delegation from Wales will arrive in Dhaka on Sunday 25 January to drive forward business relations between Wales and Bangladesh in the fields of ‘Knowledge Businesses & Knowledge Transfer’.

Organised by the Wales Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce (WBCC), the trade mission is in Bangladesh to showcase leading Welsh Companies to the local business community, and to introduce them to the growing Bangladesh economy and market. Eminent organisations such as the University of South Wales (the largest University in Wales) and TechniQuest (the leading Science Centre in Wales), are amongst just a few businesses that are accompanying this mission.

In order to seek out the best business opportunities, the delegation will visit the main cities of Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong during an seven day visit to Bangladesh between 25th to 31st January 2015. This will see them meeting Ministers and leading Government officials at the Ministries of Commerce and Education in the capital, and national chambers and industry leaders in all three cities. The exciting programme of activity has been pulled together by the UK Trade & Investment and the British High Commission.

The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson said:

‘‘I’m delighted that such a diverse range of Welsh companies are in Bangladesh to showcase the best of Welsh business and entrepreneurship here. Wales and the UK are world leaders in many knowledge based fields and I’m certain that exciting future collaboration will emerge as a part of this mission’’

Ahead of the mission, Mr Dilabor A Hussain, Chair and leader of the delegation said:

‘‘This is the second instalment of our chambers activity to build a new and better trading relationship between Wales and Bangladesh. Wales with its high tech businesses and industrial heritage has a real synergy with Bangladesh as it develops its own industrial heritage. Wales can provide manufacturing, mining and technology expertise to Bangladesh so that it’s better placed within the growing international market.’’

The mission takes place after the successful first official Welsh Government trade mission to Bangladesh organised by the WBCC in 2011, where the 23 delegates explored the trading opportunities in Bangladesh in the upcoming energy and renewable sector.

In addition to the transfer of skills and knowledge via the business relationships, the WBCC is keen to assist Bangladesh and Wales to start developing bilateral trade and political relationships as both nations have much to offer each other in accordance to their respective national visions for growth.

Note to editors:

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) works with uk-based businesses of all sizes, providing advice, expertise and support to ensure their success within international markets.

Figures from the Bangladesh Bank show the UK was the second largest cumulative investor/source of FDI into Bangladesh in the last financial year 12/13 with £159.5m worth of investment projects. Some 100 UK firms have operations locally with the main centres of operation focused around Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet

Opportunities for UK firms exist in many areas including Energy, Infrastructure, Ports & Logistics, Environment and Water, Education & Skills and Medical & Pharmaceuticals.

Published 22 January 2015