Bangladesh and Turkey have stressed the importance of advancing discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expanding bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
Commerce, Textiles and Jute, and Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir raised the issue during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Dhaka Ramiz Sen at the Ministry of Industries on Monday afternoon.
The meeting reviewed progress on initiating FTA talks, establishing business contacts for fruit imports and strengthening cooperation in hazardous industrial waste management.
Khandaker Abdul Muktadir expressed interest in holding a bilateral meeting with Turkey’s Trade Minister and meeting investment agencies during his upcoming visit to Turkey. Both sides expressed optimism about further strengthening trade and economic cooperation.
Bangladesh requested the profiles and contact details of Turkish fruit export organisations to facilitate business contacts. The information will be conveyed to relevant Bangladeshi traders through the Ministry of Commerce.
The two sides also discussed potential cooperation in managing hazardous waste from the electronics and ship-breaking industries, including Turkey’s specialised Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDF).
On the leather sector, Ambassador Ramiz Sen said leather processing and tannery operations in Turkey had declined due to environmental concerns, while the use of synthetic leather and imports of raw materials had increased.
The ambassador invited Bangladesh to attend the upcoming ministerial conference under the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC), as well as the World Halal Industrial Summit and Halal Expo. Bangladesh confirmed that the Commerce Minister will attend the main COMCEC conference, while other Bangladeshi delegates will attend the subsequent conferences.
Ministry of Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, the Economic Councillor of the Turkish Embassy, and senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industries were present.
