The assurance came from President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Dato Mustafa Mansur at a view-exchange meeting with the leaders of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) here yesterday.

"The gas and tourism sectors of Bangladesh have huge potential and efforts should be made to make best use of them," Munsur said.

Mansur, also the chairman of International Chamber of Commerce-Malaysia, assured of all out support of his country in the formation of proposed South East Asian Co-operation (Seaco) comprising five OIC countries including Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Formation of such an organisation would open up a new horizon in sub-regional cooperation and enhance bilateral trade, he hoped.

CCCI President Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury in his address of welcome sought more Malaysian investment in composite textile, agro-based industries, rubber, leather, tourism, gas and power sectors in Bangladesh.

He called for allowing duty-free access of Bangladeshi products to the Malaysian market.

About the proposed sub-regional organisation styled as Seaco, Chowdhury said such an organisation would act as a bridge between the Saarc and Asean.

Speaking at the meeting, Salahuddin Kasem Khan, president of Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) said BMCCI will help boost business ties between the private sectors of the two countries.

CCCI Senior Vice-president Ershad Ullah, Vice-president Monjoor-Ul-Amin Chowdhury and other directors of the chamber also spoke at the meeting.