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[🇧🇩] Turkey---A Strategic Partner of Bangladesh

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[🇧🇩] Turkey---A Strategic Partner of Bangladesh
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Saif

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BD-Turkey can be trade gateways between Europe, South & SE Asia
Turkish business leaders discussed bilateral trade potential with FBCCI president

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Bangladesh and Turkey can serve as the gateway of trade and business between Europe and South and Southeast Asia, said Mahbubul Alam, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

"Bangladesh and Turkey offer huge untapped potential of trade and business," he said while addressing a visiting delegation from the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkiye and the Turkiye-Bangladesh Business Council today at the FBCCI headquarters in Dhaka.

He said Turkey has a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe, a bridge between the two continents.

Likewise, situated at the foothills of Himalayas, Bangladesh is also the gateway of regions like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), according to a press release.

"Thus, both Bangladesh and Turkey could serve as the gateway of trade and business between Europe and South & Southeast Asia," he said.

He said the relations between Turkey and Bangladesh are based on strong historical and cultural roots.

Both nations have expanded beyond traditional ties into a prosperous trade and investment partnership, he added.

In 2022-23 fiscal year, Bangladesh's exports to Turkey stood at $495.81 million and imports from Turkey stood at $380.3 million.

At present nearly 20 large Turkish companies are directly operating in Bangladesh in the areas of garments and textiles, accessories, chemicals, engineering, construction; and energy.

Also, over 100 Turkish companies have representatives in Bangladesh, according to the FBCCI.

Alam expressed optimism about future cooperation between the two countries in different areas such as pharmaceuticals, tourism, jute, and technology.

He called for the activation of trade promotional activities and proposed cooperation in developing high-tech products and tourism infrastructure.

Hidayet Onur Ozden, chairperson of the Turkiye-Bangladesh Business Council and leader of the delegation, said there are many opportunities to strengthen the bilateral trade between the two countries.

The trade and business ties between Bangladesh and Turkey are improving day by day and it is time to bolster the growth of economic prosperity of the two nations, he added.​
 

Erdoğan congratulates Yunus, offers Turkish assistance for flood victims

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus (Left) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. File photo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a phone call to Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today, congratulating him on his assumption as the head of the Interim Government.

During the call, President Erdoğan condoled the loss of valuable lives in the flood-affected areas of Bangladesh.

He said Turkey would provide humanitarian aid to the flood-stricken people.

Chief Adviser Yunus thanked the Turkish president, who is a long-time friend of the 2006 Nobel Peace laureate.

Yunus said he and the Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan are members of a high-profile UN zero-waste forum.

He called for increased trade with Turkey and said Bangladesh would need Turkish investment in key sectors, including manufacturing, in which Turkey is a formidable global power.

President Erdoğan said he would soon send a high-powered delegation to Bangladesh in their efforts to help rebuild the country.

He invited the chief adviser to visit Turkey. Professor Yunus accepted the offer, saying he would visit the country at a convenient time.

The chief adviser also invited President Erdoğan to visit Bangladesh. He also accepted the offer.​
 

Turkish trade minister to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow

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Ömer Bolat

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, accompanied by a large delegation of business representatives, is set to visit Bangladesh tomorrow to explore new cooperation opportunities and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

The visit will focus on potential collaborations in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, health tourism, mining, logistics, e-commerce, defence and clean energy, reported Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency yesterday.

Bolat is set to hold bilateral meetings with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin.

The Turkish delegation includes officials from key business associations, including the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).

During the visit, prominent Turkish and Bangladeshi business leaders will gather to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

He will also meet with Turkish businesspeople in Bangladesh to address current challenges and explore future cooperation opportunities in the post-Sheikh Hasina era.

Additionally, Bolat will hold talks with Bangladeshi graduates of Turkish universities to strengthen cultural and educational ties.

The visit highlights Türkiye's ongoing efforts to deepen its relationship with Bangladesh. Officials see it as a significant step in reinforcing the economic partnership between the two countries, building on their historical ties.

In 2024, according to official figures, the trade volume between Türkiye and Bangladesh exceeded $1.3 billion.​
 

Bangladesh, Türkiye for cooperation in defence industry

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Photo: CA's press wing

Bangladesh and Türkiye have discussed the possibility of cooperation in defence industry as Türkiye Trade Minister Prof Ömer Bolat called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today.

"You are the leader of the technology; you can build your defence industry here. Let's make a beginning… we are available for anything that you need," Prof Yunus told Bolat at the state guest house Jamuna.

He urged Türkiye to bring their technology to Bangladesh, invest more, relocate factories, and use Bangladesh's youth forces.

Mentioning Bangladesh as the 8th most populous country in the world, the chief adviser said that the interim government was working to create work opportunities for the country's youths and sought Turkey's help in this regard.

"Use our young people to run your factories here so that you can supply your products in the region," he said.

The CA said Bangladesh and Türkiye have the potential to build a dream relationship through mutual cooperation in various fields.

"There are so many things to be done... We want your support, your technology, and your investments," he said.

Prof Ömer Bolat said Bangladesh and Türkiye can diversify their cooperation beyond the textile industry.

He said that there can be economic cooperation in the fields of defence industry, health care, pharmaceuticals, and farm machinery.

"We can replace India and other markets in Bangladesh's imports. There can be cooperation in economic and social fields at all levels," he said.

He also said that Bangladesh and Turkish universities can have reciprocal cooperation.

Bangladesh's exports to Turkey stood at around $581 million in 2023-24, while imports were around $424 million.

Now nearly 20 large Turkish companies are operating in Bangladesh in garments and textiles, accessories, chemicals, engineering, construction, and energy sectors.

During the meeting, the CA recalled his telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in August, following which an eight-member Turkish delegation visited Bangladesh in October.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, SDG Affairs Secretary Lamiya Morshed, and BIDA Chairman Ashik Mahmud Chowdhory, among others, were present on the occasion.​
 

Top Turkish firm plans to invest in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 30 January, 2025, 22:31

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Fatih Kemal Ebiclioglu, president of Koc Holdings company, calls on chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Thursday. | BSS photo

Top Turkish business group Koc Holdings has planned to set up a component manufacturing plant in Bangladesh in an effort to export components to its factories all over the world, senior company officials said on Thursday.

Fatih Kemal Ebiclioglu, president of the durable unit of the $60 billion Turkish company, announced the plan when a business delegation led by him met chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

During the meeting, Fatih said the company has set up a home appliance manufacturing plant at Araihazar in Narayanganj after acquiring Singer Bangladesh Limited several years ago.

‘We are in the second stage of our investment. Bangladesh has good potential,’ he said while talking about business prospects in the country.

Professor Yunus welcomed more Turkish investment in manufacturing in Bangladesh, saying the country is now ready for business.

‘Set up factories in Bangladesh to export goods to Turkey, Europe, and all over the world,’ chief adviser said.

He said Bangladesh could be a manufacturing and production hub for halal goods. ‘It can easily be an assembly investment hub,’ he said.

Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy to the chief adviser, and Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority were also present in the meeting.​
 

Singer Bangladesh launches state-of-art home appliances plant in BSEZ
Published :
Jan 30, 2025 22:56
Updated :
Jan 30, 2025 22:56

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Singer Bangladesh Limited, a subsidiary of Beko, flagship of Türkiye’sKoç Holding, today held the ‘Grand Opening Ceremony’ of its state-of-the-art Home Appliances Plant. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of the Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun as the Chief Guest, while the Ambassador of Türkiye to Bangladesh, His Excellency, Mr. Ramis Sen, graced the event as Guest of Honour among other key stakeholders.

The event saw the attendances of Dr. Fatih Kemal Ebiçlioğlu, President of Consumer Durables Group at KoçHolding, Mr. HakanBulgurlu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Beko, Mr. Can Dinçer, Chief Commercial Officer Türkiye and South Asia at Beko, Mr. BarışAlparslan, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Beko, Mr. Nihat Bayız, Chief Production & Technology Officer at Beko, Mr. CemKural, Chief Purchasing and Supply Chain Officer at Beko, Ms. Sibel Kesler, Executive Director of Finance South Asia at Beko, Ms. Handan Abdurrahmanoğlu, Director of South Asia Regional Marketing, Business Transformation & Growth at Beko, and Mr. M H M Fairoz, Managing Director and CEO at Singer Bangladesh Limited along with other officials from Koç Group, Beko and Singer Bangladesh.

Emphasising that the new facility will not only enhance Singer Bangladesh's manufacturing capacity but also strengthen its market position Dr. Fatih Kemal Ebiçlioğlu, President of Consumer Durables Group at KoçHolding said: “At Koç Holding, we are committed to pursuing sustainable growth, guided by our core values and long-term vision. Our investments are strategically designed to meet the evolving needs of diverse markets, delivering solutions that drive growth and improve both industries and communities. South Asia plays a pivotal role in our global growth strategy with its strategic location, young and energetic workforce, and rapid urbanization. Over the past 10 years, Beko has invested nearly $600 million across the region with Bangladesh emerging as one of the most investment-friendly and promising markets. Since acquiring Singer Bangladesh Limited, we have introduced Beko’s global expertise to improve the consumer durables industry and enhance the lives of Bangladeshi people. This factory stands as a testament to our commitment to positioning Bangladesh as a regional manufacturing hub. Employing up to 4,000 people, it leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). We believe that it will serve as a benchmark for others exploring opportunities in this vibrant region.”

Spanning 135,000 square meters, the new facility is a flagship project within BSEZ (Bangladesh Special Economic Zone) and will produce refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, air conditioners and other major appliances for the local market. By producing over 90% of its products domestically, the Home Appliances Plant will cater to the Bangladeshi market while positioning Bangladesh as a regional hub for consumer durables in the medium to long term. It will develop a robust local supplier ecosystem, significantly reducing dependence on imports in the sector. Plans are also underway to export products to neighboring countries in South Asia, further solidifying Singer Bangladesh’s role in the regional market.

Highlighting that the new plant marks the beginning of a sustainable, smart and the highest quality in-house production processes for Singer Bangladesh Mr. HakanBulgurlu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Beko said, “Bangladesh is far more than just a market—it is a land of opportunity, innovation, and potential. By combining Singer’s 120-year legacy, deep local knowledge, and extensive network with Beko’s global expertise, we’ve created a strong foundation for growth in the country. Since 2019, we’ve invested $146 million in Singer Bangladesh, including this state-of-the-art facility. This factory represents the future of manufacturing, merging cutting-edge technology with a dedication to protecting the planet while driving economic growth. Built to LEED gold standards, it incorporates solar readiness and a zero-waste philosophy, reflecting on Beko’s commitment to sustainability, tackling climate change, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. I believe it will stand as a symbol of our shared vision for a better future—benefiting people, the planet, and prosperity alike.”

Singer Bangladesh Limited embarked on a transformation journey in retail, employee experience and manufacturing in 2024. As part of this strategic initiative, the company relocated its headquarters to a new facility, adopting Beko's global workplace standards and establishing a pioneering concept store in Gulshan 1. Launched today, the new manufacturing plant embarks another milestone in this journey. The company also opened a new flagship concept store in Gulshan 2. The company aims to bring Koç Group and Beko’s global expertise and standards to Bangladesh and enhance the consumer experience, reaffirming Singer Bangladesh's commitment to excellence.

The Managing Director & CEO of Singer Bangladesh Limited, Mr. M H M Fairoz said, "At Singer Bangladesh, we are committed to keeping customer-centricity at the core of our operations. Our ongoing transformation aims to bring contemporary and global standards to the Bangladeshi market, enhancing the experience for our valued customers. With a vision to establish Singer Bangladesh as one of the leading brands in the country, we are leveraging our global expertise to contribute to the growth of the consumer durables industry and improve the lives of the Bangladeshi people."

The design of the new factory has been optimised to maximise natural daylight, with skylight roof surfaces being used for sustainable energy management. The new facility is solar-ready, and the installation of solar panels would prevent up to 60% of carbon emissions. Rainwater will be harvested and stored for use of grey water and for landscape irrigation. Energy monitoring systems will be used to ensure sustainability and quality targets are met. The construction of the plant has been carried out mainly using locally sourced and recycled materials.​
 

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