DHAKA: New Zealand has shown an interest in importing more goods, especially ready made garments, leather and pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh.

New Zealand High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Grahame Morton, has expressed the intention during a meeting with Bangladesh commerce minister Tofail Ahmed at his secretariat office in Dhaka on Wednesday (November 16).

Grahame told journalists that they want to strengthen trade ties with Bangladesh as the country is emerging as a new economic power.

“New Zealand is world’s number one business friendly state with higher GDP and purchasing power. Our population is only 4.5 million and we have specific policies regarding immigration, trade and agriculture.”

Tofail Ahmed said exporting to New Zealand will increase now. However, there is no alternative of product diversification to increase overall export business.

He further said the government was taking initiatives to increase exports in countries with bigger markets like Russia, Brazil, Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Moreover, a decision has been made to sign a free trade agreement with countries that do not provide Bangladesh a duty-free access, he added.

BDST: 1632 HRS, NOV 16, 2016
AP/SR/SMS