Corporate
BIDA, LABCCI signed MoU to boost trade and investment
LABCCi: The Latin America-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to boost trade and investment between Bangladesh and Latin America.
Bida Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary) Lokman Hossain Miah attended as the chief guest at the MoU signing ceremony held at the Bida office in the capital on Wednesday (15 March).
LABCCI President Md Anwar Shawkat Afser and Bida Marketing and Communication Executive Member (Additional Secretary) Md Matiur Rahman signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
At the ceremony, the Brazilian Embassy in Dhaka Commercial Specialist Nahid Ferdousi assured that Brazil is very much interested in tying up with Bangladesh in all aspects.
Md Anwar Shawkat Afser said that a new era has been started by the MoU signing ceremony.
“LABCCI now got the affiliation from the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh, Bida. Now business societies from Latin American countries may get more confidence to invest and trade in Bangladesh through the collaboration of LABCCI,” he said.
The LABCCI president highlighted the upcoming event “Bangladesh Investment B2B (Business to Business) Event in Latin America 2023” which will be jointly organised by Bida, DBCCI and LABCCI in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Argentina and Brazil on 6-17 March 2023.
Representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs and commerce, Bida, Beza, Hi-Tech Park Authority and high-profile Bangladeshi and European businessmen will participate in the mega event.
Salman Fazlur Rahman, private industry and investment advisor to the prime minister, will lead the delegation in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Argentina and Brazil.
Bida Executive Chairman Lokman Hossain Miah assured full support for this delegation, saying that the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina created a friendly environment for businessmen as EPZs will provide a safe zone for foreign investors in Bangladesh.
In the last 15 years, Bangladesh’s economy has changed dramatically. People’s incomes have increased and their lives have improved. By 2027, another 3.5 million people will enter the middle class, he added.
“Bangladesh is not only a huge domestic market of 17 crore people, but with proper investment, the consumer market of about 300 crores in South Asia including India and China can be accessed from here,” said the Bida executive chairman, adding that Bangladesh is one of the top safe investment destinations in the world.
He appreciated the LABCCI board of directors for their initiative to attract FDI from the Latin America region as well as from Europe.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Dhaka West has officially announced the formation of its new executive committee for the upcoming year, 2025. The organization unveiled this dynamic group of leaders during a recent general assembly held on Tuesday, December 17th in Dhaka.
At the helm of this new committee is Sujaur Rahman Emon, who has been appointed as Local President, poised to lead the chapter into a promising year ahead. Assisting him in steering the organization’s goals is Executive Vice President (EVP) Subah Afrin and Md Imam Hasan, while S M Belal Uddin takes on the role of Immediate Past Local President (IPLP).
Other board members include Vice President (VP) Md Saddam Hossain, Md Tanvir Hasan, and Audrika Eshna Purbasha, Secretary General (SG) Ibrahim Khalil Foysal, Treasurer Md Sameen Rahman, General Legal Counsel (GLC) Jiban Ahmad, Training Commissioner Masud, Directors Daud Mahmud Aovin, Jeba Maliha, Arianul Islam, Shurovy Yeasmin, Ahmed Wazedul Haque Khan, and Md Sabbir Hasan, Executive Assistant to Local President Reyel Ahmed Opu, and Committee Chair Md Robiul Islam, Abdur Rahman Khan Bappy.
Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, 2024 National Director of JCI Bangladesh and 2023 Local President of JCI Dhaka West, served as the Election Commissioner. Before announcing the new Executive Committee of JCI Dhaka West, the organization’s fourth General Members’ Meeting (GMM) for 2024 was held.
“We will put our full effort into spreading positive impacts through sustainable development initiatives across the nation,” said newly elected Local President Sujaur Rahmaan Emon.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a vibrant organization, comprising individuals aged between 18 and 40, known for their unwavering dedication to community service and development. The global headquarters of JCI is situated in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and its impact extends to over 35 local chapters throughout Bangladesh. JCI Dhaka West proudly stands as the largest and most prominent among these local organizations.
The National General Assembly of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh, an international organization for young leaders, has formed its new National Executive Committee for 2025. Arefeen Raafi Ahmed has been elected as the Deputy National President of JCI Bangladesh.
The General Assembly took place on Friday, December 6, at Hotel Le Méridien in Dhaka. After the assembly, elections were held to select the president and other executive committee members. The election process was overseen by former JCI Bangladesh President Md. Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan.
Upon being elected as Deputy National President, Arefeen Raafi Ahmed said, “My focus will be on empowering our members. Everyone possesses unique skills, talents, and perspectives that can contribute to JCI’s growth. I am committed to providing opportunities for skill development, mentorship, and networking, enabling each member to reach their full potential within our organization. Together, we can create a positive impact on our community, empower our members, and build a stronger, more connected JCI Bangladesh.”
Arefeen Raafi Ahmed holds a Bachelor’s degree in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) from Western Sydney University, Australia. He is the Executive Director of Techno Drugs Limited and the Managing Director of Pulse Tech Limited, a leading healthcare technology company in Bangladesh. He also serves as the Managing Director of GreenTech Holidays Limited, a travel and tourism-based company. Previously, he served as the Local President of JCI Dhaka Entrepreneurs in 2021, Vice President of JCI Bangladesh in 2023, and Executive Vice President of JCI Bangladesh in 2024. He has also been honored as a JCI Senator.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global organization for young people aged 18 to 40. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, JCI operates in more than 120 countries with over 200,000 members worldwide. In Bangladesh, JCI currently has around 40 local chapters, working to foster personal development among young individuals by enhancing their skills, knowledge, and intellect.
Ningbo Cixing Co., Ltd. (“Cixing”), a global leader in knitting machinery and technology, successfully hosted the ‘Cixing Bangladesh Night Products Promotion Meeting’ at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden on Tuesday.
The event brought together key industry stakeholders, including the owners and executives of over 300 influential sweater production companies in Bangladesh. BGMEA Fashion Technology University (BUFT), a well-known fashion school in Bangladesh, also participated in jointly exploring cooperation with high-end talent in the knitting industry.
In a significant move towards developing future talent, Cixing also signed a series of cooperation agreements with famous local companies, including BSKL and Cixing, Knit Asia and Cixing, Bettex and Cixing, NEXUS and Cixing, TWELVETEX and Cixing, and SWEATERTECH and Cixing, which marks a new chapter in the cooperative relationship.
A captivating grand fashion show to release the latest work of the Cixing sweater design team, showcasing Cixing’s products, technology, and unique industrial advantages, underlining its potential to revolutionize the local industry and establish more profound and long-term partnerships with new and old customers.
Frank Sun, Chairman of Ningbo Cixing Group, delivered a speech, saying that as the world’s leading provider of intelligent knitting equipment and digital knitting factory solutions, Cixing Group has been committed to promoting innovation and development in the knitting industry.
“We attach great importance to research and development work, with an average annual R&D investment of over 12 million US dollars in recent years to ensure the company’s sustainable development. Our technology, products, and services have spread all over the world. In 2023, nearly 30,000 units have been sold. Sales in 2024 are expected to be 40,000 units. Up to now, the global market share of Cixing products has risen to almost 30% with about 300,000 units in operation worldwide,” Sun said.
“The chairman stressed that Bangladesh, as a major manufacturing hub for the global clothing industry, has always been our focus of attention,” said Sun, adding that “We believe that through our joint efforts, we can bring revolutionary changes to Bangladesh’s textile industry, enhance industrial competitiveness, create more job opportunities, and contribute to Bangladesh’s economic development.”
Cixing’s efforts underscore a shared vision for innovation and excellence in knitwear production, marking a new chapter of cooperation and development for Bangladesh’s textile industry.
