A three-day Thai Trade Fair 1998 will be held in Dhaka on July 8-10. aimed at boosting trade between Thailand and Bangladesh, reports UNB.

“Hie trade fair alms at exploring business potentials and to familiarise Thai businessmen with Bangladesh businessmen." Thai Ambassador in Dhaka Plthaya Pookaman told a press conference In the city yesterday.

Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra will inaugurate the fair at Hotel Sheraton at 2:30 pm on Wednesday

Some 45 Thai companies and 60 Thai businessmen are expected to participate in the Thai Trade Fair, the second In Bangladesh.

Earlier, a small scale Thai trade fair was held in Dhaka In 1997.

Addressing the press conference. the Thal ambassador said the Dhaka-Bangkok both way trading accounted for US dollar 154 million last year.

He said Thai export to Bangladesh is more than its import from the country.

It Is up to the businessmen of both the sides to lessen the trade gap. Pookaman said adding: I will try to persuade the Thal businessman."

He said an agreement on avoidance of double taxation is expected to be signed between the two countries during the Thai Deputy Foreign Minister's three-day visit to Bangladesh.

This will, no doubt, help stimulate the trade.” the Thai ambassador said.

He termed the present bilateral relation between the two countries as excellent.

Twelve main categories of Thai products will be put on display at 40 booths of the fair to be set up at Ball room. Foyer and the Melony room in the hotel.

The products are: equipment for agro-based industry. Preserved food, building materials and accessories, furniture, household wares, electrical goods, silk products, fashion wears and cosmetics, handicrafts. toys, machinery, stationery and jewellery.

The Thal Ambassador said a "traders' morning" will precede the inaugural ceremony and will be opened for the Bangladeshi businessmen from 10 am to 2 pm on Wednesday.

Traders' morning will afford the opportunity for Bangladeshi businessmen to interact with the Thai business ventures." he said.

The fair will remain open for the public from 9 am to 7 pm everyday on Wednesday-Friday.

Pookaman said a half-day symposium on Trade and Investment Opportunities In Bangladesh for Thai Businessmen will be held at Sonargaon Hotel at 9 am on Thursday.

The Royal Thal Embassy in Dhaka and the Board of Investment (BOI). Bangladesh will organise the symposium jointly.

The symposium is being organised with the alm to expand and deepen trade and economic cooperation between Thailand and Bangladesh." the Tai ambassador said.

Meanwhile, a six-day 'Thai Food Week" featuring authentic Thai cuisine is also being held at the Sonargaon Hotel from today.