Bangladesh-Turkey can serve as gateway of trade between Europe, South and Southeast Asia: Mahbubul

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Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and

Industry (FBCCI) President Mahbubul Alam today said both Bangladesh and

Turkey could serve as the gateway of trade and business between Europe and

South and Southeast Asia.

He said Bangladesh and Turkey offer huge untapped potentials of trade and

business. “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

ASEAN and SAARC,” he said.

The FBCCI President opined this while addressing a visiting delegation from

Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) and the Turkey-Bangladesh

Business Council today at the FBCCI Icon in the capital, said a press

release.

Mahbubul said the relations between Turkey and Bangladesh are based on strong

historical and cultural roots. “Today both nations have expanded beyond

traditional ties into a prosperous trade and investment partnership,” he

added.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, Bangladesh’s exports to Turkey stood at US$

495.81 million and imports from Turkey stood at US$ 380.3 million.

At present, 15-20 large Turkish companies are directly operating in

Bangladesh in the areas of garments and textiles, accessories, chemicals,

engineering, construction and energy and more than 100 Turkish companies have

representatives in Bangladesh.

These companies have been significantly contributing towards creating jobs,

bringing in their expertise in manufacturing, construction and engineering

and diversifying trade for Bangladesh, Mahbubul added.

The FBCCI President said that the present government of Bangladesh has been

working relentlessly in order to bolster the economic growth of the country.

He said the government has taken visible and prudent steps in implementing

the SDG goals 2030, the national vision 2041 and a Delta Plan-2100.

“We’ve a favorable investment policy with tax exemption, Duty Drawbacks,

Access to working capital and many mo
re,” he added.

The FBCCI President also expressed optimism about future cooperation between

the two countries, suggesting areas such as pharmaceuticals, tourism, jute,

and technology where Turkish investments could thrive.

He also called for the activation of trade promotional activities and

proposed cooperation in developing high-tech products and tourism

infrastructure.

The visiting delegation was led by the Chairperson of the Turkey-Bangladesh

Business Council Hidayet Onur Ozden.

Ozden said Bangladesh is like a second-home country to him. “We have been

operating business in Bangladesh for a long time. There are many

opportunities out there 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.

The Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh Ramis Sen appreciated the recent

infrastructural development of the country.

He al
so invited the Bangladesh business leaders to visit Turkey in the

upcoming months.

FBCCI Senior Vice-president Md. Amin Helaly said Bangladesh offers huge

investment potentials for Turkish investors. “The country will be the ninth

largest consumer market in the world by 2030. Turkish businesses can take

this opportunity to operate their business in Bangladesh. FBCCI will be more

than willing to help where needed,” he added.

FBCCI Vice-president Dr. Joshoda Jibon Deb Nath, its Directors, Secretary

General Md. Alamgir, Distinguished Members of the delegation from DEIK and

Turkey-Bangladesh Business Council and business dignitaries from different

sectors of Bangladesh were present, among others, at the meeting.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha