Bangladesh exports to France 'will hit $3bn soon'

Bangladesh's exports to France will reach $3 billion very soon as it is witnessing a sharp growth every year, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said on Thursday. "Since France is an important trade partner for Bangladesh and a great destination of RMG products especially, Bangladesh’s export to EU country would soon exceed $3 billion," Tofail said. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh earned $1.85 billion in the last fiscal year, up from $1.74 billion a year ago. Of this total, $1.7 billion came from the RMG products. In the same period, Bangladesh imported goods worth $203 million. "Beyond the RMG sector, Bangladesh has taken initiatives to export pharmaceuticals, furniture, IT and leather products to France to enlarge export volumes as well as their value," the minister said. "To tap the opportunity, the government is providing cash incentives against the export potential products.". The minister also said the Bangabandhu satellite would be completed by 2017. The project is being implemented with the cooperation of Agency for France Development, European Investment Bank and Asian Development Bank.