Photo: DCCI

DHAKA, June 18, 2025 (BSS) - Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) 
today urged the Sri Lankan investors to visit Bangladesh and see the state of 
the art facilities of Economic Zones (EZs) here.

"Moreover, the Bangladesh government has been giving various incentives to 
the foreign investors, utilizing these facilities," said Taskeen Ahmed, 
President of the DCCI.

He said this while speaking at a business plenary titled "Sri Lanka & 
Bangladesh Economic Ties: Building Bridges for Growth" at the National 
Chamber's Auditorium in Colombo.

Members of the visiting business delegation of DCCI participated at the 
business plenary session organized by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri 
Lanka, said a press release here today. 

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh has extended their 
facilitating role to the DCCI in organising this successful business visit to 
Sri Lanka.
 
In his speech, Taskeen Ahmed said despite global economic challenges and 
geopolitical turmoil in the last few decades, Bangladesh's economic growth 
has been quite stable and various sectors such as readymade garments, 
pharmaceuticals, leather products, agro-processing products, electronics and 
light engineering, and information technology have played an important role 
in this journey.
 
Sri Lankan entrepreneurs have already invested US $438.11 million in 
Bangladesh's banking and financial sector, textile and readymade garment, 
energy and construction sector, he said and urged them to come forward more 
in the country's potential sectors. 

The Dhaka Chamber President stressed the need for reviving the Double 
Taxation Avoidance Agreement signed nearly three decades ago for the 
betterment of bilateral trade. 

Welcoming the delegation of the Dhaka Chamber, President of the National 
Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka Anura Warnakulasooriya said mutual trust and 
confidence are essential for expanding trade and investment and such 
cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries will help 
increase the bilateral trade. 

"More businesses will happen if we exchange more delegation," he added. 

President of the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Business Cooperation Council Andre 
Fernando urged Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to invest in and contribute to the 
development of Sri Lanka's pharmaceutical sector.
 
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe stated 
that the export sector contributes 19.6 percent to Sri Lanka's GDP, and the 
total exports in 2024 amounted to US$ 16.2 billion. 

He mentioned that Sri Lanka is emphasizing on expanding export markets and 
diversifying its export products. 

In 2024, Sri Lanka imported pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, fabrics, 
and chemicals from Bangladesh, he noted. 

Additionally, Mangala Wijesinghe expressed that there is significant 
potential for increasing bilateral trade in sectors such as cotton and 
textiles, fabrics, spices, animal feed, plastic products, nuts, and 
agricultural products. 

He urged Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to invest in Sri Lanka's pharmaceutical, 
packaging, logistics and export-oriented manufacturing sectors.
 
Director General (DG) of Sri Lanka's Board of Investment Renuka M Weerakone 
stated that the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two 
countries would significantly boost bilateral trade and investment, as well 
as help removing tariff-related barriers. 

She mentioned that Sri Lanka has established specialized economic zones for 
attracting foreign investment in the pharmaceutical, medical equipment, and 
fabric sectors, and Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are encouraged to invest in 
these areas. 

Sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, information technology, and 
education also hold great potential for foreign investors in Sri Lanka, she 
also noted. 

Renuka added that the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka is currently operating 
15 export processing zones equipped with all necessary services to facilitate 
and support investors.
 
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Andaleeb Elias mentioned that 
signing a FTA will be instrumental for expanding bilateral trade and 
investment of both countries in coming days.
 
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody joined the 
event virtually and also spoke on the occasion. 
 
Former President of DCCI Rizwan Rahman opined that a FTA will be beneficial 
to boost trade and investment between the two countries. 

He expressed that there is an ample opportunity for both the countries to 
work together in harnessing the great potential of the blue economy and 
maritime resources. 

To expand bilateral trade, he stressed the importance of removing tariff-
related barriers and implementing timely and relevant policy reforms.
 
Around 150 Business-to-Business (B2B) were held with the DCCI delegation 
where around 70 Sri Lankan businesses participated in active B2B interaction. 

The B2B match-making session provided an opportunity for the entrepreneurs of 
both the countries to exchange business and investment-related information, 
which is expected to play an effective role in expanding bilateral trade in 
the future.
 
DCCI Senior Vice-President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice-President Md. Salem 
Sulaiman along with members of the Board of Directors were also present on 
the occasion and took part in the B2B match-making session.