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[January 2006]
British Delegation to Bangladesh Grabs Headlines
A high profile trade delegation, comprising seven UK companies in the ceramic sector, has just returned from Bangladesh, where it made a positive impact. The delegation was led by Clive Drinkwater, International Trade Director of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and, apart from meeting a good number of ceramic manufacturers, also met with the Board of Investment as well as taking part in a Press Conference in the capital Dhaka which was attended by British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury.
News of the delegation made headlines in much of Bangladesh's main media sources, including 'The Financial Express', 'The Bangladesh Observer' and 'The News Today'. It is generally accepted that UK suppliers - particularly to the ceramic tableware sector - enjoy a good reputation in the country and have been working closely with the major manufacturers for a number years.
Clive Drinkwater emphasised that working on quality management would be key in the future. In total, the British representatives had spoken to over 30 ceramic companies in Bangladesh on the question of partnership business.
Despite gas crises suffered by businesses, the ceramic manufacturers in Bangladesh still seem confident that exports - which account for by far the greater part of their revenues - can be increased from the 2005 level of US$30 million right up to US$100 million by 2008.
ENDS