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

[Saif]

Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bd-turkey-can-be-trade-gateways-between-europe-south-se-asia-3609071

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

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.​

 

[Saif]

Erdoğan congratulates Yunus, offers Turkish assistance for flood victims

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

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Erdoğan congratulates Yunus, offers Turkish assistance for flood victims

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.​

 

[Saif]

Turkish trade minister to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow

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

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Turkish trade minister to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow

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.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh, Türkiye for cooperation in defence industry

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

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Bangladesh, Türkiye for cooperation in defence industry

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.​

 

[Saif]

Turkey want to replace India in Bangladesh​