DHAKA, Nov 10, 2024 (BSS) - Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) 
President Ashraf Ahmed today invited Argentine companies to come to do joint ventures with Bangladeshi counterpart in the pharmaceutical and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) industries.

Ashraf made the request to Argentine investors and companies to enjoy the 
incentives given by the Bangladesh government in this sector.
 
The DCCI President also requested the Argentine importers to import more 
garment products from Bangladesh along with jute, jute goods, leather and 
leather products, medicine and plastic products.

He made the request during a meeting with Ambassador of Argentina in 
Bangladesh Marcelo Carlos Sesa held at the DCCI in the capital, said a press release here today.
 
President of the DCCI also pointed out that higher tariff while exporting 
goods from Bangladesh to Argentina might be re-considered by the relevant 
authority to boost exports in the future.
 
Ashraf said Bangladesh is doing very good in the IT industry, therefore, 
Argentina can import software and IT professionals from Bangladesh. 

Later, he emphasized on arranging regular B2B matchmaking meetings even in 
the online platform among the businessmen of both countries so that they can 
know each other's market strength and demand.
 
DCCI President informed the Ambassador that any Argentine company can avail 
the facility of DCCI's commercial research on specific market or product to 
know the market potential. 

During the meeting, Ashraf said that recently, the establishment of the 
permanent mission of Argentina in Bangladesh has created an opportunity to 
expand bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
 
He said the amount of bilateral trade in the FY2022-23 was $678.78 million 
while the amount of imports and exports of Bangladesh were $663.34 million 
and $14.55 million respectively.
 
Marcelo Carlos Sesa said that despite having a great potential of bilateral 
trade and investment, it has not reached to the desired level mainly due to 
the lack of communication between businessmen of the two countries.
 
He said Argentina can play an important role as a 'hub' for Bangladesh's 
trade and investment in the South American region.
 
The 'Marcosar' economic alliance has been formed comprising with four South 
American countries--Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay-- who enjoy duty-
free import-export benefit among them, he mentioned.

The envoy also encouraged Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to invest in Argentina to 
seize this opportunity.
 
He requested DCCI to send a business delegation to Argentina to explore a new 
window of opportunity. 

At the same time, the Ambassador also suggested signing a Memorandum of 
Understanding (MoU) between Dhaka Chamber and Argentina's leading Chambers 
and Associations to foster bilateral relations ahead.
 
DCCI Senior Vice-President Malik Talha Ismail Bari, Vice-President Md. Junaed 
Ibna Ali and Deputy Head of Mission of Argentina Embassy in Bangladesh 
Maximiliano ROMANELLO were also present.