INDIA SHOW, BANGLADESH 3RD to 5TH December 2012

R E P O R T O N

3rd - 5th December 2012

BICC, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Organised by:

Co-ordinated by:

Introduction:

India’s links with Bangladesh are civilisational, cultural, social and economic. There is much that unites the two countries – a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature and the arts. With Bangladesh, India shares not only a common history of struggle for freedom and liberation but also enduring feelings of both fraternal as well as familial ties. This commonality is reflected in multi-dimensional relations with Bangladesh at several levels of interaction. High-level exchanges, visits and meetings take place regularly alongside the wide ranging people-to-people interaction.

About the fair:

In the continuing endeavour in India brand promotion Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has organized with the assistance of Government of India yet another first ever ‘India Show’ on the theme ‘Partnerships for Progress’ at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 3rd to 5th December 2012. Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) are the Bangladesh partners in the event.

The India Show was inaugurated by H.E. Ghulam Muhammed Quader, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh along with Shri S.R.Rao, Commerce Secretary, Government of India, Shri R.V.Kanoria, President FICCI, Shri Kazi Akram Uddi Ahmed, President FBCCI, Shri Abdul Matlub Ahmed, President, IBCCI, Shri Pankaj Saran High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh and Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI. Over 50 participants have participated in the fair. Around 100 companies, including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, BHEL, Gem & Jewellery, NTC, APEDA, NJB, EPCs etc… have displayed their products in the ‘India Show’ to showcase Indian capabilities.

Shri Arvind Mehta, Jt.Secretary, MOC&I has visited few of our handloom participants stalls, interacted with them and appreciated their efforts. Hon’ble Ms.Dipu Moni, Foreign Minter of Bangladesh has also visited few of our participant’s stalls and interacted with them.

A special feature of the India Show was an exhibition of Indian Gems & Jewellery organised by the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). This includes display and sale of some of the best pieces of contemporary Indian jewellery. India Show was opened to the business community and public on all three days on free of charge.

Bilateral Trade

At present through SAFTA Bangladesh has duty-free access especially for textiles to Indian market except few products. Bangladesh has surpassed Indian exports of Ready Made Garments (RMG) to the tune of USD 20 billion, whereas India exported only USD 14 billion during 2010-11. However, the overall trade balance is heavily in favour of India and to reduce the trade gap India wants to develop Bangladesh ports and set up manufacturing hubs. The present two-way trade stood at $4.3 billion in the year 2011-12. India sold goods worth over $3.5 billion to Bangladesh whose exports to India were worth around $0.6 billion.

Bangladesh is an important trading partner for India. The trade between the two countries in the last 5 years is as follows:

(Figures in US$ million)

Source: Bangladesh Bank/EPB Note: FY is July to June

The trade between the two countries at present, with share of overall import/export percentage of India is as follows:

Value in MUSD

Source: DOC, MOC&I

Roll of HEPC:

The Development Commissioner for Handlooms has furnished a list of nine National Award Winners from six states and directed Handloom Export Promotion Council to coordinate their participation in the ‘India Show’ at Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Council has obtained passport of all the participants and arranged for VISA, Air ticket and Hotel accommodation.

The participants are as follows:

All the above nine participants have done informal business worth of INR 30 lakhs besides secured enquiries worth of INR 85 lakhs and many business contacts for future business.

Conclusion:

On practically witnessed the enthusiastic interest of public in buying the Indian products from Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and from other participants indicates that regular B2C India shows with atleast 50 participants should be considered in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan and Nepal every year for a period of week or 10 days. All the National Awardees in rotation may be provided to & fro Airfare and free space for such participation.

The India show, Bangladesh was coordinated by Shri R.P.Rajalingam, EPO.

(R.P.RAJALINGAM)

Export Promotion Officer