Mussen leads trade mission to Bangladesh

KUCHING: The seven- day trade and investment mission to Bangladesh starting tomorrow (Apr 7) will seek to explore potential business and investment opportunities in Bangladesh and vice versa, said Assistant Minister for Agriculture Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.

He disclosed that other objectives include initiating networking between members of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and the delegates from Sarawak, and to develop bilateral trade ties and international trade relations between Bangladesh government and Sarawak.

Mussen, who is the honorary delegation leader for this trip, also said it can be an important mission in line with Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision to propel Sarawak into the competitive global economy as outlined in the just concluded International ICT Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference Sarawak ( Idecs) 2017.

“After listening for the past two days on the vision of our chief minister on the digital economy, I realised this mission trip can be an important trip for us. Considering the population of 160 million in Bangladesh, of which 17 million are in the capital city Dhaka, I think we have some

After listening for the past two days on the vision of our chief minister on the digital economy, I realised this mission trip can be an important trip for us. Considering the population of 160 million in Bangladesh, of which 17 million are in the capital city Dhaka, I think we have some niche product that we can export if we have access to the demand of the people.

niche product that we can export if we have access to the demand of the people.

“Even if we are not producing the product locally, you can outsource it by networking with others and you can still meet the demand of your consumers,” he told reporters after a briefing on the mission at Wisma Chinese Chambers here yesterday.

A total 34 persons are joining the mission organised by Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( KCGCCI) which will be from April 7 to 13 on invitation of the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur.

The delegation will comprise not only members of KCGCCI, but also those from Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) Kuching Branch.

Datuk Sia Hiong Ngee is the other honorary delegation leader, while KCGCCI commerce committee chairman Dr Christopher Ngui is the head for this mission.

Mussen said he felt privileged to be part of the mission in his capacity as assistant minister, and he invited several members from Area Farmers Organisation of Engkilili/ Lubok Antu to join the trip to see and experience new things.

“I am not sure if they are ahead of us (in agriculture), but I am sure it is good to know what is happening in that side of the world. The factory visits excite me. I am more interested in the technology side, such as the effluent treatment at the factories. I look forward to learn something from this trip,” said Mussen, who is Batang Ai assemblyman.

Meanwhile, Ngui said members of the delegation will be promoting products such as ‘ kokokam ‘herbal tea, instant coffee, pepper, ‘kelulut’ honey, modular building system, small machinery and tools.

“More importantly, the trip is for Sarawak delegation to look for opportunities for trade and investment there,” he said.

Among the highlights of the trip are courtesy visits to Bangladesh’s Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Muhammed Sayedul Hoque and Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, meeting with officials of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority of the Prime Minister’s Office, and meeting and business-to-business session with Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau.

The itinerary will also include high tea and open discussion with Bangladesh- Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( BMCCI), meeting with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and meeting and business- to- business matching session with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Visits have been arranged to a pharmaceutical factory, food processing factory and garment factory. The delegates will depart tomorrow evening and return to Kuching on April 13.

Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Assistant Minister for Agriculture