A seven-member visiting delegation from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) held meeting on March 12 last with the Vice-Chairman and other senior officials of the Export Promotion Bureau, Dhaka.

The meeting was co-chaired by Cao Xinyu, Vice-Chairman, CCCT and Md Shahab Ullah, Vice-Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) where its senior officials were present.

During his speech Md Shahab Ullah briefly outlined the role of EPB in promoting export trade of the country apart from highlighting the salient features of the current Export Policy 2006-2009, investment incentives and facilities available in the country, duty-free, quota-free market access provided to Bangladesh by the developed country etc.

He also communicated to the delegation about major export items from Bangladesh to China like raw jute and leather, woven garments, frozen fish, shrimps and jute goods, and major import items to Bangladesh from China like animal products, vegetable products, animal/vegetable fats and oils, prepared food stuffs, manufactured tobacco, mineral products and chemical products etc.

In his turn, Cao Xinyu mentioned the purposes of the CCCT delegation's visit to Bangladesh: (a) promoting communication and cooperation between Chinese and Bangladeshi textile, apparel and ancillary industries; (b) exploring the possibility of investing in the fabric manufacturing and study the market for Chinese fabrics; and (c) establishing a Textile and Apparel Trade Centre in Bangladesh.

Responding to the request of VC, EPB Cao Xinyu expressed his strong desire to invest in fabric manufacturing industry in EPZs and establish Textile and Apparel Trade Centre in Bangladesh with a view to contributing towards balancing bilateral trade tilted heavily towards China.

In the concluding remarks Md. Shahab Ullah urged upon the delegation members to come forward to invest in Bangladesh particularly in the textile and apparel sector with a view to easing chronic trade imbalance with China referring to the FY 2006-2007's total export of US$ 92.99 million and import of US$ 2537.16 million to and from China.