Bangladesh to push for investment

Bangladesh to push for investment

DHAKA: Bangladesh is to push for investment and the reduction of its trade deficit during Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri's three-day visit starting on Wednesday, officials here said.

Her visit to Bangladesh comes as Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's government pursues its "Look East Policy" to boost economic ties with neighboring Myanmar and Thailand.

A business delegation will travel with the president. There is currently no Indonesian investment in Bangladesh.

Several agreements are likely to be signed, including one on double taxation and renewing a 1978 trade accord between the two countries, they said.

The trade balance between the two countries is more than US$162 million in Indonesia's favor, according to official figures.

Exports from Bangladesh includes jute products and garments, while imports include mineral products, plastics and machinery. -- AFP