Bangladesh eyes for utilizing Dhaka-Ankara trade potential

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh President M Abdul Hamid has asked for tapping the full potential of trade and business between the two friendly nations as Dhaka and Ankara have been enjoying a historically close tie for ages.

The trade and business between the two nations stand at around $1.5 billion.

The president made the call while Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan paid a farewell call on him on Wednesday evening at Bangabhaban, the official residence and principal workplace of the president in Dhaka.

President’s press secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters following the meeting.

The outgoing diplomat expressed his gratitude to the president for his cooperation in fulfilling his official assignments in Bangladesh.

During the meeting, referring to Bangladesh's long-standing relationship with Türkiye, the president said that “there is ample opportunity to develop relations between Bangladesh and Türkiye in various fields, including trade and investment,” Abedin quoted the president as saying.

The president stressed on exchange of visits at the public-private level to utilize these opportunities between the two countries.

He also thanked and appreciated the government and people of Türkiye for their cooperation in the Rohingya issue, hoping that Türkiye will continue to pressure Myanmar to repatriate the forcibly displaced Rohingyas in the future.

Bangladesh has been providing temporary shelter on the southeast coast of Cox’s Bazar to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees since a refugee influx in 2017 due to a Myanmar military crackdown.

The president thanked the outgoing envoy for a successful performance of his duties.

Earlier on Tuesday, Turan met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The prime minister also sought cooperation from Türkiye in defense as well as trade and business and socio-economic aspects.

Turan assured Bangladesh that Ankara will boost economic ties and will have a role in a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, adding his country's interest in increasing cooperation with Bangladesh in the defense sector.