ASEAN Ambassadors convened a meeting with ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman at the ICC Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday to discuss bilateral trade and investment opportunities between Bangladesh and ASEAN.

During the meeting, the ambassadors were briefed on the activities of the ICC headquarters and ICC Bangladesh, with a focus on promoting bilateral trade and investment. Mahbubur Rahman emphasized the significant market potential for Bangladesh in ASEAN nations, which collectively represent a population of 661 million people and a GDP of $3.08 trillion, with trade exceeding $2.7 trillion.

Rahman underscored Bangladesh's appreciation for the ASEAN community and its constructive global role. However, he highlighted the trade gap between Bangladesh and ASEAN, with Bangladesh importing goods worth nearly US$7.0 billion from ASEAN countries annually, while its exports to ASEAN remain below $1.0 billion per year. Rahman urged the ambassadors to leverage their influence to increase imports from Bangladesh and reduce the trade imbalance.

Sheela Pillai, Chair of ASEAN Dhaka Committee & Head of Mission at the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore to Bangladesh, expressed concern about the trade gap and emphasized the importance of diversifying Bangladesh's export basket to facilitate exports to ASEAN countries.

Haji Haris Bin Othman, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Bangladesh, identified agro-based products and meat as potential exports to Brunei, while Haznah Binte Md. Hashim, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh, highlighted Malaysia's interest in increasing investment in Bangladesh and addressed concerns about the taxation regime.

ICCB Vice President Naser Ezaz Bijoy emphasized Bangladesh's potential as a development partner and a bridge between South and ASEAN nations due to its strategic location. He urged the ambassadors to promote connectivity and facilitate visits by business delegations from ASEAN and Bangladesh to boost trade and investment.

The meeting also included representatives such as Leo Tito L Ausan, Jr, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Bangladesh; Md. Fazlul Hoque, ICCB Executive Board Member; Panom Thongprayoon, Minister Counsellor at the Royal Thai Embassy; ICCB Secretary-General Ataur Rahman; ICCB General Manager Ajay Bihari Saha; and Deputy General Manager Syeda Shahnewaz Lotika.