The Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia, Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) successfully organised Showcase Bangladesh 2012 for the second time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was held from 13 to 15 July 2012 at Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square).

The main objectives of the Showcase were to promote Bangladesh and project a strong country branding of image, heritage and culture in Malaysia. The event also aimed to encourage and promote networking between Bangladesh and the Malaysian business community to foster greater awareness of Bangladeshi products and services in Malaysia.

The Showcase was inaugurated by Dato’ Sri Mustapa Bin Mohammed, Hon. Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia. Mr. Ghulam Muhammed Quader, M.P., Hon. Minister, Ministry of Commerce and Dr. Hasan Mahmud, M.P., Hon. Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh were present as special guests. H.E. A. K. M. Atiqur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Malaysia, Syed Nurul Islam, President of BMCCI, Syed Moazzam Hossain, Chairman of the Organising Committee (Showcase Bangladesh 2012) and IPP of BMCCI as well as Ar. Md. Alamgir Jalil, Hon. Secretary General of BMCCI and Exhibition Director also spoke at the inaugural session which were attended by foreign diplomats, high government officials, business leaders from Bangladesh and Malaysia and members of BMCCI. The function was widely covered by both print and electronic media in both countries. About 350 guests, mostly businessmen from the two countries, attended the inaugural function.

50 companies/organisations, including the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh, participated in the 3-day event that featured 60 stalls promoting Bangladeshi products and services. More than 15,000 visitors, comprising both trade visitors and the general public, attended the Showcase which garnered more than 500 trade enquiries during and after the event.

Approximately 130 Bangladeshi businessmen, including exhibitors who represent a wide range of products and services such as banking and insurance, ready-made garments (both woven and knitted), home textiles, handicrafts and handloom products, jute and jute products, hotel and tourism, food and beverages, Halal foods, herbal products, rubber and rubber products, real estate and housing, participated in the trade show. Close to 100 one-to-one business matching meetings were organised during the fair, where a good number of local businessmen exchanged their business information, successfully concluded business deals with their counterparts and signed numerous MOUs. Participating banks in the Showcase opened 3,500 bank accounts for non-resident Bangladeshis in Malaysia.

SEMINAR ON BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BANGLADESH

On the sidelines of the Showcase, a seminar on Business Opportunities in Bangladesh was organised on 13 July 2012, hosted by the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA). Syed Moazzam Hossain, IPP of BMCCI and Chairman of the Organising Committee of Showcase Bangladesh 2012, chaired the seminar. The objectives of the seminar were to promote the various business opportunities in Bangladesh and the potential of enhancing trade and investment between the two countries. In his welcome address, Mr. Syed Nurul Islam, President of BMCCI, referred to the large trade gap that exists between Bangladesh and Malaysia. He highlighted that there were opportunities for Malaysians to invest in Bangladesh in many sectors of the economy, particularly in the RMG as well as Tourism and Food Sectors.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud, M.P., Hon. Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, was the Chief Guest. Mr. Ghulam Muhammed Quader, M.P., Hon. Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was also present at the seminar and spoke on the Tourism Sector of Bangladesh. On behalf of the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mr. Mohammed Nasir presented a paper on Bangladesh-Malaysia Trade Potential in the context of the Ready-made Garments (RMG) Sector. Dr. Ferdousi Begum, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Potato Exporters Association, presented a paper on the food industries of Bangladesh. The event was well attended by high-level Government officials, academicians and representative of think tanks as well as private sector leaders of both countries. The seminar generated a lot of interest and the discussions that followed were very stimulating.

On the second day of the event, a grand gala cultural show followed by dinner was organised. Special Envoy of the Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu, attended as Chief Guest and Hon. Minister, Ministry of Commerce Mr. Ghulam Muhammed Quader, M.P., was in attendance as Special Guest. A legendary artist of Bangladesh, Ms. Sabina Yasmin gave a special performance as part of the cultural programme.

Showcase Bangladesh 2012 was a great success. The event strengthened the relationship between the organisers, partners, supporting organisations and Government relations between both countries. Bolstered by this confidence, the next edition of ‘Showcase Bangladesh’ promises to be even bigger and better.

MASSA wishes to record its appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh, High Commission of Bangladesh in Malaysia, BMCCI, MITI, MATRADE and sponsors for the opportunity to be a part of this prestigious event.