DHAKA: Many economic powers of the world are now showing their interest to be partners in Bangladesh development activities for achieving economic capability.
However, many of them are not mega powers but they are rich in technology and knowledge.
Such two east European countries Poland and Albania are mentionable. These two countries are playing important role in expanding Bangladesh export market in Europe through Germany and France.
These two countries besides helping in expanding Bangladesh export market have also showed interests in building the latter’s infrastructure for achieving economic power status.
In his recent visit to Bangladesh, Poland’s deputy minister for economic development Radosław Domagalski-Łabędzki expressed intentions to invest their technology and knowledge for developing mines in Bangladesh. Particularly they want to invest in coal mining for producing coal based electricity.
The visiting Polish minister expressed this intention in his meetings with Bangladesh industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and business leaders.
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed told banglanews that since the country’s independence Bangladesh has been maintaining close relation with Poland as a former Soviet Union block state. Poland has been extending supports in many ways since 1990s after the collapse of Soviet Union.
Tofail said that for exploring coal mines Bangladesh government is seriously thinking about their investment proposal. ‘Poland is very rich in mining, power and in other heavy industries including building infrastructure. We can be benefited from their experience and investment.’
The commerce minister further said that Poland is already playing an important role in expanding Bangladesh business. ‘Meanwhile, the volume of our trade has reached 500 million dollars which is likely to be multiplied within few years.’
According to the commerce ministry sources, Bangladesh set up diplomatic ties with Poland on June 21, 1992. Poland as member of European Union (EU) is already providing Bangladeshi exporters many facilities including GSP. ‘For this reason our business is in a favorable condition.’
According to the ministry sources, in 2010-11 the volume of Bangladesh export to Poland was more than 175 million dollars while import volume was 50 million dollars.
In 2012-13 the export volume galloped to more than 430 million dollars, the import volume was 53 million dollars. The export volume to Poland in 2014-15 was 594 million dollars while the import was only 39 million dollars.
The visiting Polish minister informed the commerce ministry that the potentialities of expansion of business with Bangladesh have increased and in that case Poland wants to be a partner.
‘The geographical location and good communication systems have created this opportunity.’
He also invited the business leaders to tour Poland frequently.
The Polish minister also said that Poland, which joined EU in 2004, has the size of population equal to 14 EU countries out of 15.
Poland has a unique geographical location surrounded by several European countries. So, Poland can be a hub of Bangladesh export goods.
Warsaw wants to exploit this situation along with Dhaka, he added.
Radosław during his visit said that Poland is the highest coal producing country in Europe. Their experience and tradition in the coal industry is very rich. The quality of reserve coal in Bangladesh is very high. So, they want to explore the coal mines and thereby put Bangladesh on a strong footing in electricity sector. Through this investment, they want to make the existing historic bilateral relations closer.
The commerce ministry sources said that Poland also wants to invest in textiles, ceramics, leather, pharmaceuticals and industrial technological sectors.
Not only Poland but another east European country Albania has shown its interests in infrastructure and heavy industries sectors in Bangladesh.
Salillari Limited, a private entrepreneur on last March 1 told industries minister Amir Hossain Amu that they want to make investments in river dredging, port development, railway and in communication sectors.
The visiting members of Salillari Limited, which included CEO Pellumb Salillari, GM Arjan Eskendery, International Relations Manager Ervis Salillari and Consultant of Road Communication and Railway Infrastructure department Dr. Faruq Kaba and Chief Consultant Himel Jangshi showed their intentions for investment.
According to the Albanian entrepreneurs, Salillari Limited is the top entrepreneur of Albania. They are also interested to invest in Bangladesh’s industrial sector.
Albania is a small country of southern Europe. It is located on the north-western end of Balkan Peninsula. Most of its area of the country is hilly. It has got small farmland and naturally they tended to industrial development and have curved out an important place in Europe. Albania is the member of UN, NATO, WTO and OIC.
Bangladesh ambassador to Paris Shahidul Islam Khan very positively considers the investment proposals of Poland and Albania.
He told banglanews that Germany and France are still the biggest export markets of Bangladesh. But with the changing situation the east European countries are shifting their Bangladesh-based business to Poland.
On the other hand, Albania is transferring their economic prowess to different locations of the world. So, their investment intentions will further strengthen the business interest of Bangladesh, Khan added.
BDST: 1450 HRS, MAR 06, 2016
Shahjahan/RR/SMS
