Bangladesh urges Turkish investment in leather, RMG and shipbuilding sectors

Bangladesh urges Turkish investment in leather, RMG and shipbuilding sectors. Photo: Courtesy

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has urged Turkish businesses to increase investment in Bangladesh’s leather, non-leather, ready-made garment (RMG) and shipbuilding industries.

He also called for the removal of customs barriers and reduction of additional tariffs on Bangladeshi products entering the Turkish market to help expand bilateral trade.

He made the call during a bilateral meeting with Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat at the Hilton Hotel in Istanbul on Sunday, where the two sides discussed opportunities to expand trade and investment ties and address existing obstacles.

During the meeting, Muktadir encouraged Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s promising industrial sectors, particularly leather and non-leather products, ready-made garments and shipbuilding.

He also highlighted existing customs-related barriers and tariff complications affecting the entry of Bangladeshi products into the Turkish market and sought Bolat’s cooperation in resolving the issues and reducing additional duties.

The two ministers discussed ways to turn the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Turkiye into a broader commercial partnership. Both sides expressed a positive attitude towards expanding bilateral trade and removing existing barriers.

Senior officials from both countries were present at the meeting.

Muktadir is visiting Turkiye to attend the 42nd Ministerial Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC).