Interaction with H.E. Mr. M Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India held at MCCI

Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised an Interaction with H.E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India 03.12.2025 at the MCCI Conference Hall. Mr. Sikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata was also present at the Session.

H.E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India said that the economic engagement between India and Bangladesh may be valued at USD 25 billion to USD 28 billion when you factor in medical tourism, students’ education, etc. The higher capacity in ports and logistics is a predictor of increased trade between the two countries. However, the relationship between these two countries is organic in nature and should not get stuck on a point.

He added that the mobility between Bangladesh and India is manifested by the recent figures of RBI which show the trade between the two countries has increased by 12% in the last 10 months.

The envoy urged understanding the mutual interdependence between the two countries and advised to articulate a new canvas to share future cooperation.

His Excellency mentioned that raw jute is processed in Europe and used by Airbus to line cabins and by the auto industries. However, it would be beneficial to process the jute locally in India and Bangladesh. He requested that traditional handicrafts of India and Bangladesh should not just be viewed in commercial terms but as a heritage.

He announced that Government of Bangladesh will facilitate visit by Indians to their ancestral homes in Bangladesh at reasonable cost. Government of Bangladesh is planning to organise Bangla Chalachitra Utsav in Delhi, soon.

Mr. Munish Jhajharia, Senior Vice President, MCCI in his Welcome Address mentioned that Bangladesh stands as India’s largest trading partner in South Asia and the economic ties between two countries continue to expand across sectors—from textiles and agriculture to power, infrastructure, digital services and beyond. He highlighted few sectors such as joint ventures in textiles and apparel, especially cotton and MMF (Man–made fibre)-based value chains, border economic zones and industrial parks for deeper cooperation in the coming days.