Shawdesh desk:

The visiting senators of the New York State Senate on Friday expressed deep interest for enhancing socio-economic cooperation, trade and investment in Bangladesh.

The delegation, led by Senator Luis Sepulveda, had a meeting with the leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) at the FBCCI Bhaban where they discussed ways to cooperate in potential areas.

FBCCI President Sheikh F Fahim chaired the meeting and sought nanotechnology supports from New York.

The five state senators from New York City began their weeklong “familiarisation tour” in Bangladesh on October 20.

They are not part of the state senators’ delegations or the arrangements made by the Bangladesh government, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The senators expressed their keen interest in strengthening the state-level partnership with Bangladesh, particularly between chamber of commerce and business council highlighting New York’s role in the USA economy as the financial epicenter and agriculture producing state in addition to being home to a sizeable diaspora of Bangladeshi-Americans and NRBs making important economic contributions.

They also remarked on Bangladesh’s “impressive growth” and development sighting numerous opportunities to cooperate in multiple sectors including education, ICT, tourism, industry and infrastructure among others.

FBCCI President Fahim highlighted FBCCI’s role as the umbrella trade organisation of Bangladesh working closely with policymakers, stakeholders at national and international platforms including enhanced engagements with global partners.

The apex trade body chief emphasised Bangladesh’s stable macro-economic growth trajectory and its development in the past decade.

He also raised the opportunity for re-skilling of the young demographic dividend towards creating an ecosystem to get on the bandwidth of 4th IR and investment in the 100 Economic Zones.

Other issues discussed included knowledge transfer, industry-academia exchange and strengthening trade relations between the two friendly countries that at present stands at $8.65bn with exports $6.87bn and imports of $1.77bn in FY 2019.

An audio-visual showcased Bangladesh’s track record in sustainable inclusive growth trajectory and upcoming investment opportunity.

FBCCI Senior Vice-President Md Muntakim Ashraf, vice-presidents Md Siddiqur Rahman, Md Rejaul Kariem, Hasina Newaaz, Mir Nizam Uddin Ahmed and Nizam Rajesh and directors Md Munir Hossain, Sujib Ranjan Dash and Amzad Hossain also joined the meeting.

These senators provide “big support and cooperation” to the Bangladeshi diasporas in New York in various matters and various ways, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.