World Trade Center Goa organized an Interactive Session on Doing Business with Bangladesh: Opportunities and Way Forward, on 03rd March 2020 at Panaji , Goa.

The objective of the Interactive Session was to understand the scope and possibilities of expanding bi-lateral trade and investment ties between India and Bangladesh with a special emphasis on Goa.

Chief Guest, Mr. Md. Lutfor Rahman, Deputy High Commissioner, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, in his key note address spoke on the trade and investment climate in Bangladesh and highlighted the priority sectors like Garment Manufacturing, Information Technology, Pharma, Shoes and Leather, Agro, Furniture, Home Textiles, Ceramics and Light Engineering. Mr. Rahman said that there are about 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) that are being set up and work has already commenced on 66 such SEZs, out of which 29 are in the Private Sector and added that Tax Holiday for 10 years, 100% repatriation of Royalty and protection of investment by law were some of the incentives that Bangladesh is offering for attracting investment. He also highlighted the policy of issuing Business visa on priority and in a very quick time.

Mr. Ankit Pandit, Founder Chairman, Ankit Pandit Group, a construction company, shared his experiences in doing business in Bangladesh. He has already acquired 4 acres of land in which he hopes to promote the Portuguese architecture in Bangladesh that is found in Goa.

Earlier Mr. Anil Velde, Joint Director, WTC Mumbai, in his welcome address spoke on the strong emerging business environment in Bangladesh. Mr. Velde while briefly delving on the business and investment initiatives taken by Bangladesh in realm of Tax Holidays, repartition of Royalty and the setting up of Special Economic Zones said that these measures would immensely help the Pharma, Leather and Home Textiles sector from India take a closer look at Bangladesh as a viable investment destination.

Mr. Sekhar H, Partner , Unique Equipments Goa, highlighted his company's foray into the Bangladesh market promoting their Food Processing solutions as well as metal detection systems which he said had a very high potential. Mr. Sekhar also shared his experiences of promoting his company in Bangladesh through the exhibition route and opined that through his tie-ups with leading companies in Bangladesh his company would immensely benefit from doing business in Bangladesh.

A Q & A session was also organized during the programme.

Mr. Cyril Desouza, Assistant Director, Trade Promotion, WTC Goa, in his vote of thanks expressed his hope that more companies to look at Bangladesh as a viable investment destination of the future through which bi-lateral trade ties between India and Bangladesh would grow and thrive and offered all support form WTC Goa for this effort.

Seen in the Picture : (L-R) : Mr. Sekhar H, Partner, Unique Equipments, Mr. Md. Lutfor Rahman, Deputy High Commissioner, Bangladesh High Commission in Mumbai and Mr. Ankit Pandit, Founder Chairman, Ankit Pandit Group.