Bangladesh can be the trade hub and bridge of business between the ASEAN, South Asian and South East Asian countries, said Joshoda Jibon Deb Nath, vice president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

Bangladesh will graduate to a developing country in 2026 and it will ink several free trade agreements and preferential trade agreements with South East Asian emerging economic tigers, he said yesterday.

Bolstering bilateral trade with Vietnam will provide Bangladesh access to new markets, especially to the ASEAN nations, he said.

Deb Nath made the comments during a courtesy call with Vuong Dinh Hue, chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, at the InterContinental Dhaka.

Hue said Bangladesh is the second largest trade partner of Vietnam in South Asia and Vietnam is interested to enhance bilateral trade with Bangladesh.

He invited the business leaders and dignitaries of FBCCI to visit Vietnam and explore the market.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other related ministries will be working closely with Bangladesh and the FBCCI to facilitate the trade and businesses of the two countries, he added.