Dhaka: President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed on Monday urged the visiting trade delegation of Vietnam to allow duty-free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi products to their market.

The FBCCI chief made the call at a discussion meeting with the high-profile visiting trade body of Vietnam, led by Vietnamese deputy minister for the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Hoang Quoc Vuong at FBCCI Bhaban in the capital.

The meeting with the seven-member Vietnamese delegation was held aiming to explore trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

The FBCCI president said Bangladesh can offer many good quality products, including leather products, ceramic, plastic, textiles, chemical products, and pharmaceuticals.

‘It is clear that the trade balance is hugely in favor of Vietnam. In this context, trade facilitation has become necessary to resolve the non tariff barriers like certification requirements and important licensing system for Bangladeshi exports,’ Akram Uddin added.

He hoped the trade gap between two countries will be reduced through mutual cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Vietnamese deputy minister Hoang Quoc Vuong said bilateral trade between the two countries is now modest and direct Dhaka-Hanoi air link and simplification of Visa processing can increase the interaction.

He also said his visit to Bangladesh will strengthen the friendship and understanding between the two countries.

Ambassador of Vietnam to Dhaka, Nguyen Quang Thuc; deputy director general of Southwest Asia and and Africa division, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, Do Huu Huy; FBCCI first vice president Monowara Hakim Ali and vice president M Helal Uddin were also present at the programme.