Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The Bangladesh government is still considering extracting coal through open pit mining facility and Commerce Minister M Faruk Khan has sought German help in this regard.

The minister sought German support, advice and cooperation when German Ambassador Holger Michael called on him on Monday, local media reported quoting ministry sources.

The minister informed the envoy that Bangladesh is using Chinese technology to extract coal but the government wants more advanced technology where Germany has an edge, a ministry official said.

In reply the German envoy assured the minister that he would discuss the issue with his government as to how they can help Bangladesh, he added.

Faruk Khan also sought German investment in readymade garment sector and export of the products back to the country, the official noted.

Meanwhile, an official press statement of the ministry said the commerce minister sought investment in renewable energy and river dredging too.

“Shipbuilding and textiles sectors can also use German experience to make it more competitive,” the statement added.

The minister said there is ample scope to increase trade volume and strengthen the relations between the two countries.

“Exchange of business delegations can help materialize the potentialities,” he said.

The envoy said that Bangladesh-German trade volume has increased by fourfold in the last 10 years and the current environment is favourable for investment in Bangladesh.

He enquired about labour situation in the garment sector and the minister informed him that the government is committed to protecting the rights of workers especially in the RMG sector.

Bangladesh exported $2.27 billion worth of products to Germany in 2008-09 which was only $681 million in 2001-02 while it imported products worth $410 million in the last fiscal whereas the figure was $169 million in 2001-02, according to statistics.  

Germany is the second biggest export destination of the country and major export products include knit wear, woven garments, home textiles, frozen foods, footwear, pharmaceuticals, ceramic tableware, leather bag, bi-cycle and jute products.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-06October09-11:00 am (BST)