Reported by Suprovat Sydney: The Bangladesh-Australia Trade and Investment Council (BATIC) held its inaugural official meeting in Sydney, ushering in a new era of cooperation aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment between the two nations.
Presided over by BATIC President Professor Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the event gathered executive committee members, advisors, and special guests, including Emeritus Professor Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, State Minister of the Bangladesh Interim Government, who attended as the Chief Guest.
In his keynote address, Professor Chowdhury commended the formation of BATIC, emphasizing the importance of united leadership within the Bangladeshi diaspora in Australia. “We must move beyond disunity,” he said, pointing to the development successes of countries like Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. “Bangladesh can reach similar heights with shared vision and leadership.”
BATIC’s General Secretary ANM Masum moderated the event, which highlighted the strategic objectives of the newly formed council. Chief Advisor and EC member Abdullah Yousuf Shamim played a key role in organizing the session.
In his address, Dr Rahman outlined the current state of trade and investment between Bangladesh and Australia. He identified six key commodities central to bilateral commerce and noted the minimal level of Australian foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh. “There is tremendous untapped potential,” he stated. “BATIC aims to be a driving force in unlocking this potential to benefit both economies.”
Other notable attendees included:
- Md Iqbal Chowdhury, Treasurer
- Md Sohel Rana, Organising Secretary
- Zamil Rahman, Social Media Secretary
- Mohammad Akbar, Executive Committee Member
- Advisors: Dr Falze Rabbi, Mr Liakot Ali Shapon, and Councillor Masud Khalil
The launch of BATIC is being hailed as a significant development in the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and Australia. With a strong leadership team and a clear strategic vision, the council is set to play a pivotal role in fostering long-term economic partnerships between the two nations.