MANILA, Philippines?A delegation of 30 businessmen from Bangladesh will arrive in the Philippines at the end of the month to scout for trade, investment and tourism opportunities in hopes of furthering economic ties between the two countries.

The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, in a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, said the businessmen's visit was scheduled from January 31 to February 3.

Of particular interest to the Bangladeshis are joint ventures in garments, plastic, bakery, printing, non-metallic mineral products, basic iron and steel, chemical products, pulp, and paper and paper board production, the DFA said.

They are also looking into processing and preservation of meat, fish and other seafood, fruits, vegetables and oil, the agency added.

Ambassador to Dhaka Bahnarim A. Guinomla said the businessmen were hoping to meet with officials and colleagues from the government and private sector during their visit.

The envoy said the value of bilateral trade between the two countries stood at a little more than $74 million in 2008 and then dropped to $56 million in 2009.

?We need to re-energize our trade ties and reverse the downtrend,? Guinomla said after an hour-long meeting with International Business Forum of Bangladesh president Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury at the latter's office in Dhaka this week.

A former mayor of Chittagong City and former three-time member of parliament, Chowdhury will lead the delegation to Manila.

Chittagong is the second-biggest city of Bangladesh and site of the country's largest sea port.