Metropolis Report-
Bangladesh will see increased Turkish investment in the coming days as the economy of the South Asian country has been growing steadily despite challenges in the global economy.
Outgoing Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Osman Turan has expressed this view while speaking at the launching of the Bangladesh-Türkiye Business Forum (BTBF) on Tuesday in Dhaka to facilitate and increase bilateral trade and investment between the countries.
After serving Bangladesh during the last three years, Turan said businesses of the both countries have made significant progress in raising trade volume and Turkish investment in Bangladesh.
He expressed confidence that this upward trend will continue and bilateral trade and investment will be diversified. “ICT and pharmaceutical industries appear as promising fields of cooperation along with agro-industry and light-engineering. Bangladesh can also benefit from the growing interest of Turkish contracting companies to participate in infrastructure and transport sector projects.”
He added that recently a Turkish company has won a highway construction work here.
The bilateral trade between the countries stood at about US$ 888.41 million in fiscal year (FY) 2021-22. Bangladesh exported goods worth $458.15 million in the FY.
Mainly due to the 17 per cent safeguard duty imposed by Turkey, local ready-made garment exports to the country fell drastically in recent years and stood at $193 million in FY 22, which was $622.37 million in FY 14.
Salman F Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, was present as the chief guest in the launching ceremony held in the city.
As a result of growing interactions between businesses and entrepreneurs, the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka took the initiative to encourage and support the establishment of BTBF, formed in mid-2022. It brings together 13 Bangladeshi conglomerates and six Turkish companies operating here.
BTBF is led by managing director of Mohammadi Group and former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Dr Rubana Huq and Salahuddin Kasem Khan of AK Khan Group of Companies as co-chairperson.
