The bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Australia increased to 495 million Australian dollars in fiscal year 2008-09 from 281 million dollars the previous year, registering a 98 percent growth, data released by Canberra government shows.

Also, a big jump in the value of Bangladesh exports to Australia was recorded at A$119 million from A$43 million an increase of 174 per cent.

This was pointed out during a meeting when Australian High Commissioner Dr Justin Lee met Commerce Minister Faruk Khan at the later's office in Dhaka yesterday, according to a press release from the high commission.

Lee noted there was a significant increase in garment and textile exports to Australia, suggesting Bangladesh producers were beginning to take the advantage of duty- and quota-free access to the Australian market offered to them since 2003.

The commerce minister encouraged Australia to consider importing products from Bangladesh's shipbuilding sector, jute and information technology.

Major Bangladesh exports to Australia include garments, textiles and fertilizer, while Australia mainly exports vegetables, wheat, dairy products, minerals and plastics.