TBT DESK: Abu Dhabi Chamber in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) organised a business forum on "Strengthening economic ties between Abu Dhabi and Bangladesh" at the conference room of the Abu Dhabi School of Management on Tuesday. The members of the visiting business delegation of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) led by its President Taskeen Ahmed participated in the business forum. At present Taskeen Ahmed is leading a 29-member business delegation to the UAE to explore new business opportunities.
Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Chamber, said the UAE has shown success in expanding its investment as well as attracting foreign investment through the development of skilled human resources. At the same time, Bangladesh should also focus on its large pool of young generation to make them skilled enough so that foreign investors can get confidence to invest in Bangladesh utilising this young and energetic demographic dividend. He also assured of UAE's all possible support and cooperation for the skill development of Bangladeshi human resources, reads a press release.
Dhaka Chamber President Taskeen Ahmed said that being one of the largest trade organisations in Bangladesh representing the SME sector, DCCI has been working for more than the last six decades to develop a favourable business environment for local and foreign trade and investment. He mentioned that in 2024, Bangladesh's imports from the UAE amounted to $ 1, 352.9 million and the exports to UAE were $ 402.63 million. He said the UAE entrepreneurs have already invested $ 321.67 million in Bangladesh in various sectors. He, however, invited the UAE investors to invest in renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, information technology, tourism and the healthcare sector of Bangladesh. The DCCI president also requested the UAE businessmen to hire manpower from Bangladesh who are skilled in information technology, textile and engineering industries.
He also requested them to import agricultural products, readymade garments, jute products and medicines from Bangladesh. Taskeen Ahmed also recommended that for the skill development initiative, both DCCI Business Institute (DBI) and Abu Dhabi School of Business can work together in the days to come.
Omar Al Hosani, head of investor engagement, at Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), presented the keynote paper on Abu Dhabi's trade and investment potential. On the other hand, Rizwan Rahman, former president of Dhaka Chamber, presented another presentation on the trade and investment potential of Bangladesh.
At the end of the business forum, a B2B networking session was held in the presence of the representatives of about 35 companies of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, where the businessmen of the two countries participated in a detailed discussion on the trade and investment possibilities between themselves.
DCCI's Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and members of the business delegation were also present during the meeting.