The 25-member delegation led by MCCIA Director General D K Abhankar stressed for effective steps for market promotion on both sides. "India can be Bangladesh's largest market," he said in this connection making a strong case for closer business contract and cooperation in trade and industries.

BCI President A K Azad explained various incentives and the huge opportunities that are being offered by Bangladesh to investors, specially those coming from neighbouring India.

Referring to official statistics, he said Indian investment based on 100 projects registered with the Board of Investment (BoI) up to June 2002 stood at 330 million dollars.

The BCI leaders said Indian businessmen can mainly focus on areas like textile, power generation, agro-based industries, telecommunication, leather and leather goods, infrastructure and computer software.

Terming India one of Bangladesh's major trading partner with over Tk 6,000 crore deficit in formal trade, the BCI leaders urged the Indian businessmen to take concrete steps to reduce the trade deficit.

Abhankar said both sides can act together to promote trade and investments. He said, India could be the largest market for Bangladesh's exportable and both sides can explore markets by holding more trade fairs.

BCI Vice-president A M Badruzzaman Khan Khasru, directors M A Shahid, Dr Jahangir Alam, Abdul Tahir Majumder, Shamim Ahmed, Ranjan Chowdhury, Enayet Ullah Siddiqui, Shahidul Islam Niru, Delwar Hossain Raja and Jakir Hossain were present.