Knitwear manufacturers Thursday urged Qatar to invest in synthetic fiber production in Bangladesh in view of the Gulf country’s petrochemical production.”Qatar should invest in Bangladesh for producing synthetic fiber as the country is the top producer of finest petrochemicals,” said Vice President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) AH Aslam Sunny while speaking at a meeting.Petrochemicals are raw materials of synthetic or artificial fiber and Bangladesh is the second-largest apparel manufacturer in the world after China.The BKMEA organised a commercial meeting with Qatari envoy in Dhaka Ahmed Mohamed Al-Dehaimi at its office in the city to discuss the potentials of exploring new apparel markets in the middle-eastern country.In his opening remarks, Mr Sunny requested Qatar envoy to let Bangladesh open a display centre at the Doha airport to showcase Bangladeshi apparel products round the year.He also said that both countries can initiate negotiation on a free trade agreement to have a win-win trade relation.He said Qatar was a very potential market for Bangladesh, especially on the occasion of 2022 FIFA World Cup. Currently, about 20 factories of the country are producing jersey for the football world cup to be held in Qatar, according to the BKMEA.Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Kazi M Aminul Islam urged Qatar to invest in economic zones in the country.He said there was a substantial trade gap between the two countries. Bangladesh has many products to export to the Qatar market.More exports will reduce the trade gap, he added.Qatar’s envoy in Dhaka Ahmed Mohamed Al-Dehaimi said he would convey the message to his investors and importers.EPB vice chairman Mafruha Sultana, Assistant Secretary of Foreign Ministry Sarwer-e-Alom Sarker, Deputy Chief of Textile Cell Ministry at Commerce Md Ruhul Amin and vice president of the BKMEA Mansur Ahmed also spoke in the programme.
