The 12-member delegation that arrived here Sunday to explore trade and investment opportunities was led by Philippe Vindry, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry's International Affairs deputy chairman.

The French businessmen expressed their interest as they held talks with commerce ministry officials and representatives of top business organisations.

The delegation visited textile mills on the first leg of its visit to have a firsthand view of the country's textile industry.

The businessmen are scheduled to visit the Dhaka Export Processing Zone and ceramic, drug and knitting and dying factories.

Under tariff-and-quota-free export facilities, Bangladesh exported goods worth $550 million to France in 2003-04 while imports amounted to about $60 million.

Major exports from Bangladesh included readymade garments and textiles, frozen foods, leather and leather products and ceramic tableware.

Imports included processed food, vegetable products, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, chemical and allied products, and textile and textile articles.