Dhaka:Commerce, Textiles and Jute and Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir emphasized the importance of progressing negotiations on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Turkey to enhance bilateral trade and investment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this was discussed during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramiz Sen at the Industries Ministry. The meeting reviewed the progress of FTA discussions and explored new areas for economic cooperation.
Minister Muktadir expressed his intent to meet with his Turkish counterpart and representatives from Turkey's investment agencies during an upcoming visit. Both sides showed optimism about strengthening economic ties and discussed the prospect of increasing fruit imports from Turkey by facilitating connections between Turkish exporters and Bangladeshi businesses.
The meeting also addressed cooperation in managing hazardous industrial waste, particularly from the electronics and ship-breaking industries. Discussions included possible collaboration with Turkey to establish and operate specialized treatment, storage, and disposal facilities for hazardous waste.
Ambassador Sen noted the decline in leather processing in Turkey due to environmental concerns, accompanied by an increase in synthetic leather use and raw material imports. He invited Bangladesh to participate in the upcoming ministerial meeting under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) and the World Halal Industrial Summit and Halal Expo.
Bangladesh indicated that its Commerce Minister would attend the main COMCEC conference, with other representatives joining subsequent events. The meeting was attended by Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, the Economic Counsellor of the Turkish Embassy, and senior officials from the Ministries of Commerce and Industries.