Feb 03 (V7N) - Ruhul Islam Mithu, Sylhet District Correspondent: Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said that trade relations with both the UK and India will be further strengthened to ensure sustainable economic growth of Bangladesh. He especially emphasized the modernization of Sylhet's tea industry and British investment in the information technology sector and the reopening of border ports with India.

He made these remarks after separate meetings with UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook and Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma at his office at the Secretariat on Monday (March 2).
In a meeting with British High Commissioner Sarah Cook in the morning, the Commerce Minister said, "There is huge potential for investment in Sylhet's tea gardens. Investment is needed to modernize this industry and increase production by utilizing the past experience of the UK. This will not only create employment but also develop the tourism industry." He also called on British investors to come forward with LPG-based technology to keep fertilizer factories operating throughout the year due to the gas shortage.

In response, Sarah Cook expressed interest in assisting Bangladesh in enhancing the skills of its Trade Negotiation Pool officials. She noted the special interest of UK investors in the seafood, leather processing and light engineering sectors, in addition to tea plantations.
After a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma in the afternoon, the minister answered journalists' questions about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East. He said, "The government is cautious about the supply of essential goods and energy due to the international unrest surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. However, there is no need to panic right now. We are monitoring the situation."

Regarding the meeting with India, the minister said that although there was no final discussion on the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (CEFA), there were detailed discussions on reopening closed border ports, expanding trade and exchanging technology. He expressed hope that businessmen from both countries would benefit from increased mutual cooperation.
State Minister for Commerce Md. Shariful Alam, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and Additional Secretary (Export) Md. Abdur Rahim Khan were present at the meeting.

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