Businesses of five Nordic countries in Dhaka launched a chamber yesterday to boost bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and the countries of Scandinavia, Iceland and Finland.
The newly formed platform, Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), also wants to promote a positive image of Bangladesh as an investment destination for the Nordic businesses, and to help improve business environment.
"The establishment of the NCCI is a manifestation of the strong business relations between Nordic countries and Bangladesh," said a statement issued, marking the launch of the trade body at The Westin Dhaka.
Commerce Minister Faruk Khan and Norwegian Minister of Environment and Development Cooperation Erik Solheim, Norwegian and Danish ambassadors and leaders of various trade bodies were also present.
The NCCI represents companies from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden that do business in Bangladesh.
It becomes the 16th bilateral trade lobby group that aims at promoting and serving the Nordic business community and providing a platform to create and safeguard new business opportunities.
"It's a good day. This chamber will help boost bilateral trade and understanding between the two regions," said Commere Minister Faruk Khan.
The NCCI, with a 7-member executive committee, came into being at a time when two-way trade between Bangladesh and Nordic states stood at nearly $750 million. Bangladesh favours a trade balance, according to Khan.
"There is a business-friendly climate in Bangladesh. We want to promote Nordic business here," said Norwegian minister Erik Solheim.
He stressed focusing Bangladesh's success stories.
There was a time everyone tended to focus on problems of Bangladesh. This is now shifting. They are now focusing
on the success in Bangladesh, said Solheim, citing steady growth of Bangladesh economy.
In the past two decades, Bangladesh, with a population of nearly 160 million, logged 5 percent average growth and helped lift people out of poverty.
The Norwegian minister said Nordic companies are doing well here.
"We're proud of doing business here," he said, citing Telenor, majority owner of local cellphone giant Grameen Phone.
"We believe Nordic companies will set positive business," the upbeat Solheim said.
In the statement, the NCCI said it wants to strengthen links between Nordic and local companies and social and match making events.
"We want to grow in Bangladesh," said Danish Ambassador in Bangladesh Svend Olling, adding that there are opportunities for business here.
Norwegian Ambassador Ragne Birte Lund said human resource base is unique in Bangladesh.
Among others, President of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hamim Rahmatullah and President of Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saiful Islam also spoke on the occasion.
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