Bangladeshi exporters have chalked out a plan to get a bigger pie of the Indian market to achieve
an annual USD 1-billion earning target from exports by 2011.
Bangladesh has a tiny share of USD 500 million of the over USD 250-billion India export market.
However, exports to India have grown by over 100 per cent in the past three years from USD 230 million in 2007 because of reduction in tariff and non-tariff barriers for Bangladeshi products.
"We expect to fulfill the target of exporting our apparels in increased volumes. We are also exploring ways to be engaged as partner of India's Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector for our export promotion," India-
Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) president President Abdul Matlub Ahmad told PTI.
IBCCI, which set the target of achieving USD 1 billion in exports to India three years ago, is planning to coordinate a series of tours of Bangladeshi exporters to India.
IBCCI officials said a delegation from ICT sector would visit Kolkata on June 14 for a series of meetings with representatives of different software companies for making strategic partnerships.
Another business delegation comprising Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders will be in Kolkata on June 18 to discuss with Indian importers,
including some chain store operators, for getting a greater and ensured market access at the retail level.
IBCCI officials said similar business team from ICT and garments sectors will also visit Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore for exploring bigger market.
"We are expecting some significant outcomes from the planned business tours and discussions as we are now trying to expand market for our RMG (ready-made garments) products through engagements with famous chain stores and partnership with Indian IT industry," Ahmad said.
The companies may include software giant Infosys and chain store operators for clothing such as Future Groups' Pantaloon and Tata's Westside, he said.
Ahmad said he expected the bilateral trade ties to be widened as the obstacles of tariff and non-tariff barriers were likely to be eased further in the coming months.
"Both the tariff and non-tariff barriers are also going down through discussions between the countries, and as business community we are hopeful about further increase in export earning from Indian market in near future," he said.