Germany yesterday expressed keen interest to invest in different sectors in Bangladesh.

"We want to invest in Bangladesh more as the country is an ideal production place in SAARC and BIMSTEC region," said Peter Clasen who is leading a high-profile German trade delegation to Bangladesh.

Speaking at a meeting with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at the DCCI auditorium, Clasen, the leader of Association for East Asia and Pacific (OAV), called Bangladesh an "emerging tiger" in terms of international trade.

He hoped that the bilateral ties between Germany and Bangladesh would become closer.

He urged the local business community to take measures to reduce the trade gap between the two countries.Commenting on the investment proposal of the Indian industrial giant Tata, Clasen said Bangladesh would benefit if the negotiation ends successfully.

DCCI president MA Momen said that being the second largest export destination of Bangladesh products, Germany has been playing an important role in fighting poverty in Bangladesh.

He said Bangladesh offers an unparalleled congenial investment climate compared to the other South Asian countries.

The DCCI president urged the German investors to invest in agro-based sectors like food and fruit processing and in gas-based industries, leather and leather goods, ceramics, light engineering, steel, infrastructure development, tourism, education and telecommunication sectors.

He also sought technical and managerial assistance from Germany for the development of entrepreneurship in Bangladesh as well as diversifying its export basket.

In fiscal 2004-05, Bangladesh's exports to Germany totaled US$ 1353.80 million against the imports worth US$ 266.65 million.