Turkish companies keen on investing in Bangladesh
Turkey’s envoy to Bangladesh said this during a meeting with the DCCI president today
Turkish companies are keen on investing in, and collaborating with, Bangladesh in numerous sectors – such as agro-industry, light engineering, pharmaceuticals, ICT, shipbuilding, energy, and household appliances – said Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan.
"We want to rebrand Turkey in Bangladesh," said the ambassador during his meeting with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Rizwan Rahman, according to a press release.
Adding that Bangladesh's agricultural sector is undergoing a digital transformation, Ambassador Turan said that this sector holds the potential for successful collaboration.
He also said that the pandemic has not badly affected bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Turkey.
During the meeting with the DCCI president, the ambassador also highlighted that Turkey imports jute from Bangladesh for its carpet industry.
The press release issued by the DCCI also mentioned that Bangladesh's yearly jute exports to Turkey are worth about $300 million.
DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said that Bangladesh has emerged as Turkey's third-largest trade partner in South Asia with a total trade volume of $705 million in FY2018-19.
He proposed to hold a bilateral virtual business-to-business conclave to promote private sector investment.
Rahman also requested that Turkey withdraw its anti-dumping duty on yarn from Bangladesh which was imposed on 16 October, 2018.
The DCCI president further added that the total trade volume of both the countries in 2019-20 was $686.88 million which fails to reflect the actual trading potential.
He hopes that through more interaction and communication between the Turkish and Bangladeshi business communities, trade volume will increase.
During the meeting, senior officials – including DCCI Senior Vice President N K A Mobin, FCS, FCA, Vice President Monowar Hossain, and Commercial Counsellor of Turkish Embassy Kenan Kalayci – were present among others.