The France Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday urged French companies to help flourish the Bangladesh business sector to increase the economic volume of the country. The chamber made the request at the inaugural session of a two-day French Trade Show organised by it at the Le Meridien Hotel in the capital. Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed inaugurated the trade show while French ambassador to Bangladesh Sophie Aubert was present at the session. France Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Manzurul Islam said the country’s business sector wanted the cooperation from French companies to increase the volume of the domestic business. ‘France is one of the most developed countries in the world and it can help us in different sectors,’ he said. In terms of bilateral trade, France is the fifth biggest market for Bangladesh, he said. French companies are famous for businesses like telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, fashion and design, and satellite making, Manzurul said. ‘They will help us in the relevant sectors,’ he said. The trade show is being organised to promote the France-Bangladesh business relationship, Manzurul said. He said that France companies were now showing very cooperative attitude towards the businesses of Bangladesh. Tofail said France was one of the few countries which recognised the country’s independence at the beginning period. Bangladesh will launch the Bangabandhu-1, the first Bangladeshi satellite, with the assistance of a French company, he said. Bangladesh and France are now working very closely and their cooperation will continue in the coming days, the commerce minister said. The government gave adequate facilities when France-based Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd started its business in the country, he said. ‘I express gratitude to the French companies as they played a positive role in our country’s business,’ he said. Sophie said the France Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and France embassy were now working closely to promote the business between the two countries. France is working for Bangladesh to develop the business capacity of the country, she said. A total of 16 companies are participating in the trade show.
