Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Indian state Orissa requested Bangladesh readymade garment manufacturers to invest in textile sectors of his state. The request was made when Bangladesh high commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali called on the Chief Minister of Orissa in at the State Secretariat in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Ali met Naveen during his visit to the state, a message received in Dhaka said. According to the message the Chief Minister and the Bangladesh envoy discussed ways and means to strengthen trade between Orissa and Bangladesh. They agreed that there are various sectors for doing mutual businesses including alumina, sponge iron, energy, food processing and tourism. During the meeting, Ali also invited Naveen to visit Bangladesh this year. Besides, issues relating to energy, food processing and tourism were discussed. Ali conveyed the good wishes of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Chief Minister. Among others, Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Additional Chief Secretary to CM UN Behera and Tourism Secretary Gagan Kumar Dhal were present. Later on the day Syed Muazzem Ali attended inauguration of Orissa MSME Trade Fair as the guest of honour. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the seven-day long event as the chief guest. Businesses find a lot of business scopes between Orissa and Bangladesh as New Delhi and Dhaka recently signed a shipping agreement allowing coasters of either country to visit the others with merchandise. Currently India is the largest trade partner of Bangladesh. India exports goods worth $5 billion to Bangladesh, which in return ships goods worth nearly $1.0 a year, through official channels.
