"The existing facilities as well as the duty-free market access of Bangladeshi goods will enable them get their stake in the developed countries like EU, Canada, Australia, Norway and USA," he said adding that the markets of Bangladeshi goods would further expand in near future.

"Bangladesh can be the best production ground for the Thai entrepreneurs," he said.

The minister was exchanging views with the visiting high-powered Thai delegation and local business leaders here Wednesday night. Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) organised the one-to-one meeting between the business leaders of both the countries at Chittagong Club auditorium.

Their discussion mainly focussed upon finding ways and means to extract trade and investment potentials in Bangladesh and Thailand. Thai delegation leader and Governor of Chiang Mai Suwat Tantipat, President of Chamber of Commerce Region-9 in Thailand Rachan Veraphan, CCCI President Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury and Senior Vice-President Ershadullah, among others, addressed the function.

The 65-member Thai delegation representing different trade sectors in the Thai Northern province Chiang Mai arrived here Wednesday on a five-day visit here to explore the trade and investment prospects in Bangladesh.

Referring to the government's 'Look East' diplomacy being pursued by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to foster a broader regional cooperation, the Commerce Minister said both Bangladesh and Thailand could benefit tremendously by sharing ideas, technologies and bilateral cooperation.

The Thai delegation leader Suwat Tantipat said Chiang Mai and Chittagong as second cities of both the countries have geographic similarity with excellent business prospects.

"The Thai business people are eager to establish a long term trade relationship with Chittagong to benefit from the potential trade sectors here. We see brighter days ahead in the economic relations between our two people," he said.

CCCI president Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury urged the Thai entrepreneurs to invest in different prospective sectors in Bangladesh. "Tourism, seafood, seed production, pisciculture, horticulture, textile, light engineering and livestock are the areas, where both the countries can benefit immensely," he said.

Thai team keen to invest in tourism sector

The visiting Thai business delegation mostly representing tour and travel industry also showed keen interest to invest in Bangladesh's tourism sector.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin and high officials of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) exchanged views with the 65-member Thai delegation from the northern tourist resort of Chiang Mai.

Thai delegation leader Suwat Tantipat, BPC chairman Harun-Ur-Rashid Bhuiyan and President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, expressed their views to work closely to promote the tourism industries in both the countries under a boarder cooperation.

He said the government as part of its tourism development programmes had opened the door for both local and foreign investments with very flexible conditions in favour of the investors.

"The government has recently handed over the authority of Foy's Lake to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to make it the most attractive tourist spot in Bangladesh," he said.

Members of the Thai delegation on Wednesday visited Foy's Lake and Patenga sea beach.