A business dialogue between the visiting delegation of the DCCI and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held at the Hilton Colombo Residence Hotel in Sri Lanka. Photo: DCCI

DHAKA, June 17, 2025 (BSS) - Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has emphasized signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to expand bilateral trade and investment.

The chamber observed that Sri Lanka's experience and technical assistance in the development of the maritime economy, deep-sea fishing and port management will play an important role in improving Bangladesh's skills in these sectors.

DCCI today made the observation at a business dialogue between the visiting delegation of the DCCI and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held at the Hilton Colombo Residence Hotel in Sri Lanka.
 
Sri Lanka's Minister for Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi was the chief guest at the event.

Taskeen Ahmed said that despite the immense potential of trade and investment between the two SAARC countries, it has not yet reached the desired level, but this potential can be exploited by improving relations between the private sectors of the two countries.

"Sri Lankan entrepreneurs can invest in Bangladesh's logistics infrastructure, tourism, education and health services, construction, renewable energy, agro-processing products and information technology sectors," he added. 

The DCCI president also urged Sri Lankan businesses to import pharmaceuticals, readymade garments, footwear, electronics and jute products from Bangladesh. 

Chairman of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Duminda Hulangamuwa said that Bangladesh is one of the closest friends of Sri Lanka for many years.

"Despite the trade figures between these two friendly SAARC countries does not reflect the real strength of both-way trade, but it is high time we move it further," he added. 

Terming Bangladeshi people 'pro-business' and the private sector 'very resilient', he said that Sri Lanka will always stay alongside Bangladesh. 

He expressed that both Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi companies will work together to keep the economies stronger in this region. 

He later invited Bangladeshi investors to invest in Sri Lanka's various potential sectors such as logistics and tourism sector. 

Sunil Handunneththi said that this business forum is very timely to achieve not only commercial benefits but also shared interest in regional progress. 

The economic relation of both countries has shown promising bilateral trade and investment but failed to achieve required the growth, he added. 

He said, "The potential of bilateral trade is still untapped. Textile, pharmaceuticals, ship-building and digital services are some of the potential sectors for both the investors of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka."

"We are equally committed to supporting our local entrepreneurs and businesses in exploring opportunities in Bangladesh and we invite your enterprises to consider our nation as a gateway to a diversified market especially in our opening up new economic policies," he added. 

At present, he said, Sri Lanka is free from corruption and the government is inviting foreign investment giving various facilities. 

"They also aimed to enhance their trade facilitation framework, improve logistic connectivity, harmonize standard and reduce non-tariff barriers," he added. 

He also underscored the importance of chamber to chamber relations. 

The industry leaders and policymakers must need to promote regional cooperation through direct business-to-business cross-border initiatives, he added.

 Entrepreneurship and innovation should be at the heart of our regional agenda as well as we must empower our startups and SMEs, he further said. 

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody and President of Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Business Council Dr. Asanka Ratnayake delivered also spoke on the occasion. 

Andalib Elias said that Sri Lanka is also progressing like Bangladesh rapidly. 

He also said that Bangladeshi business people are very enthusiastic and they are keen to collaborate with their Sri Lankan counterparts to elevate the economy into new heights.

Former president of Dhaka Chamber Rizwan Rahman presented the keynote paper on the investment potential of Bangladesh at the event. 

He said that young skilled human resources and Special Economic Zones of Bangladesh have created huge potential for foreign investors in Bangladesh. 

He emphasized on the need to sign FTAs at the earliest to expand trade and investment between the two countries.

Meanwhile, at least 200 business to business match-making meetings (b2b) held between DCCI delegation members and Sri Lankan counterparts held where 90 Sri Lankan companies took part. 

During this time, the entrepreneurs from both countries got the opportunity to exchange their business and investment information and ideas which will play an effective role in expanding bilateral trade in future.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dhaka Chamber and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with an aim to expand bilateral trade and investment as well as to strengthen relations between the private sector representatives of both countries. 

Dhaka Chamber President Taskeen Ahmed and Ceylon Chamber President Duminda Hulangamuwa signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.

Later, the business delegation members, led by Dhaka Chamber President Taskeen Ahmed, paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra .

DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, and members of the delegation also attended the meeting.