DHAKA: Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem said the UK, which is the 2nd largest export destination for Bangladesh, is still attractive especially for Bangladeshi startups in expanding export periphery during the Covid-19 situation.
She said: “Last year, Bangladesh exported $4.5 billion of goods and services to the UK while it stood 2.4 billion till June this year. Though the Covid-19 has not yet affected the market this year, it will create an adverse impact on export in the coming days due to the absence of scheduled orders.”
Saida Muna Tasneem was speaking at a webinar discussion titled "International Business Expansion" held on June 6, according to a press release.
Apart from the garments industry, some other potential industries such as pharmaceuticals, jute industry, and information technology services should need to be considered for export to the UK, she added.
"The UK market has always been attractive to us, but it's still intact. Some pharmaceutical companies are already preparing to work with vaccines and PPE in the UK market. Gradually, the market will become bigger with the inclusion of IT services products. In this regard, we need to encourage young entrepreneurs and startups in our country,” Saida Muna Tasneem said.
Speaking as the special guest on the occasion, Hosne Ara Begum, Managing Director Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, said, “Young entrepreneurs and startups of our country are doing well. We want them to move forward. The UK as an export market has always been attractive to us. We need startups to take advantage of this opportunity. In this regard, we hope to get the support of the UK Chamber of Commerce and the UK High Commission in Bangladesh for our young entrepreneurs to enter the UK market.”
Pradipta Patel and Halima Salim, co-founders of Prohal Chartered Certified Accounts, Liliya Scott, Principal Solicitor and Managing Partner of LS Legal Solicitors, Chris Luff, CEO of Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce and Project Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority ANM Safiqul Islam took part in the discussion as speakers.
The event was moderated by President and Chief Executive Officer of Silcock Global Limited Saumya Basu.
Managing Director of Scoppa Technologies Limited Abu Saleh Md. Sushan also spoke on the occasion.
More than 300 entrepreneurs from across the country took part in the webinar organized by Scoppa Technologies Limited in association with the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.
Women and e-Commerce (WE) was the strategic partner of the event.
BDST: 1736 HRS, JUN 08, 2020
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