Bangladesh seeks direct flights, stronger trade ties with Uzbekistan

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury held a meeting with Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev on Tuesday in Samarkand.

According to a message received on Wednesday in Dhaka, Khosru is visiting Samarkand to lead a Bangladesh delegation at the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), being held from May 3 to 6, 2026, BSS reports.

The finance minister was accompanied by Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammad Monirul Islam during the meeting with the Uzbek deputy prime minister.

Khosru conveyed thanks and appreciation to the Uzbek government, especially President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for congratulating Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on assuming office following the formation of the new government.

He highlighted the historical, cultural and religious ties between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan and stressed the importance of closer cooperation in trade, connectivity, employment, culture, tourism and people-to-people contact.

The finance minister urged the Uzbek deputy prime minister to consider establishing direct air connectivity between the two countries, including resuming Uzbekistan Airlines flights on the Dhaka–Tashkent route.

He also emphasised opening an Uzbek diplomatic mission in Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Khosru sought greater market access for Bangladeshi export items, including RMG, pharmaceuticals and jute products, and requested support in facilitating visas for Bangladeshi businesspeople and tourists.

He also invited Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

The Uzbek deputy prime minister said his country is ready to engage more effectively with Bangladesh to strengthen economic partnership.

He stressed the need for early conclusion of pending bilateral agreements on trade, agriculture and tourism.

He also appreciated Bangladesh’s progress in the textile and pharmaceutical sectors and assured that Uzbekistan would send a business delegation to explore trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh soon.