Bangladesh is keen to establish a strong relation with Egypt as the two countries have immense bilateral trade potential, said Bangladesh's Ambassador to Egypt Md Monirul Islam.

He spoke in a seminar on 'Bangladesh-Egypt Trade and Investment Opportunities' organised by the Bangladesh embassy in Egypt on July 28.

The event was held at Hotel Ramsis Hilton in Cairo.

The ambassador, in his welcome address, highlighted the recent progress in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh to the Egyptian guests, as well as mentioned the growing economic relations between Bangladesh and Egypt.

He highlighted the immense economic potential of Bangladesh and areas of cooperation.

The chief guest at the seminar, Dr Huda Jalal Yasa, president of the Arab Women Investors Union, shed light on the empowerment of women in Bangladesh and called for increased cooperation between the two countries in this regard.

Marie Lewis, president of Egypt's apparel export counsel, who was the special guest at the seminar, presented a comparative analysis of Bangladesh's rising economic growth projection.

British University's Bangladeshi Professor Dr Sheikh Shamim Hasnain came up with a powerpoint presentation on the history, culture, recent economic progress and economic potential of Bangladesh to give Egyptian businessmen an idea about the economic potential of Bangladesh.

Hosted by Muhammad Ismail Husain, first secretary for labour at the Embassy of Bangladesh, the seminar was attended by ambassadors of various countries to Egypt, CEOs of various companies, senior officials of the government of Egypt, senior officials of civil trade institutions and expatriate Bangladeshi businessmen.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Egypt.