No impact of economic recession on GDP: GM Quader

DHAKA: Commerce Minister GM Quader categorically said there would not be any impact of world economic recession in achieving targeted 7.2 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the fiscal year 2012-13.

The commerce minister came up with the observation while addressing the inaugural programme of the 5th Asian International Trade Expo-2012, at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city Tuesday.

GM Quader said the US and European countries give 20 percent duty free entrance while it is 80 percent in Asian countries. “So, why we are forwarding to export towards US and Europe,” he said.

He also said there is a huge market of Bangladeshi familiar and unfamiliar products in Asian markets. “The Asian trade fair will assist to use the potentiality,” he said.

The ‘5th Asian International Trade Expo-2012’ kicked off at the Bangabandhu international trade centre Tuesday.

This biggest 8-day international exhibition on trade and consumer is organized by Conference and Exhibition Management Services ltd, USA (CEMS-Global USA) in association with `CEMS-Bangladesh’.

The exhibition will continue till July 18.

Around 100 organizations from over 12 countries will exhibit their electronics, ICT, food and beverages, healthcare, cosmetics and households, fashion and accessories, fine arts and handicrafts products.

With President & Group Managing Director of CEMS-Global, USA & Asia-Pacific Ms Meherun N Islam in the chair, the function was also addressed, among others, by American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AMCHAM) Aftab Ul Islam and President of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry Syed Ershad Ahmed.

BDST: 1610 HRS, JUL 10, 2012

Edited by:
Kaiser Ahmed, Newsroom Editor
Abul Kalam Azad, Newsroom Editor
M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor