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Two-day French trade show begins here Friday

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October 10, 2000 

Dhaka, -- (UNB) – A two-day French trade show begins here Friday aiming to boost Dhaka-Paris cooperation in trade and investment.

French-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFB) is organising the exhibition Dhaka Sheraton Winter Garden. Commerce Minister Abdul Jalil is expected to open the show at 9:30 am.

“The chamber is organising the show to try to develop trade and investment relations between the two countries,” CCIFB president Francis Dubus told a press conference here yesterday (Monday).

The French Trade Show 2000, the 5th in this country, will remain open for the visitors from 10 am to 8 pm everyday to showcase French technology, products and services by 23 CCIFB member companies made up of a mix of French companies and local agents.

CCIFB members have increased to about 50 since its inception in 1996.

Companies like Alcatel, distributor of French-brand cosmetics Bengal Cosmetics Ltd, Credit Agricole Indosuez, Energypac, Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd will introduce to the visitors their services and products.

The exhibits include electrical goods, telecommunications, cosmetics, catering allied services, banking, water treatment, power generation, paper industry, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

“French presence in Bangladesh is not negligible…it will take time to boost further but you will have to have patience. It’s important for the people here,” Dubus said.

He said the chamber published its directory for business circles and chambers both in Bangladesh and France and other international business establishments, which would help build image of Bangladesh abroad.

The chamber would also assist its member companies in participating in trade shows in France to promote Bangladesh exports, he told newsmen.

To promote French investment in Bangladesh, he said, a French company is working here to set up a US$14 million LPG plant besides large companies and schemes already operating here, like Lafarge Cement, Alcatel and Syedabad water-treatment plant.

About trade promotion, Dubus said the chamber is now trying to help Bangladesh Furniture Association export furniture, especially garden furniture, and plastic bags to the European Countries through providing French technical support.

Bangladesh exports more than double the goods it imports from France. Bangladesh exported goods worth about US$400 million in 1999 against its imports worth US$ 172 million.

About 47 per cent of Bangladesh’s imports from France are agricultural products (edible oil and wheat) followed by tool machinery 19 per cent, electrical equipment and products 8.5 per cent, chemical products 7.5 per cent, consumer goods 7.5 per cent and industrial vehicles 6.5 per cent.

The export items to France included readymade garments 90 per cent and some jute goods, leather shoes, leather, frozen shrimps, toys and handicrafts, sports equipment and ceramic table-wear.

The two-day trading bazaar at Sheraton will include two technical seminars on MGE UPS systems and Schneider products. A French Ballet and Dinner will also be organised for a ticket of Tk 3000 per person.

Former CCIFB president Zilhurain Jaigirdar and CCIFB director Rifat Rashid were present at the press conference held at Credit Agricole Indosuez office.