Turkey keen to invest in Bangladesh’s potential sectors, envoy tells DCCI President

Turkish companies are keen to invest in some of Bangladesh’s potential sectors, namely agro-industry, light engineering, pharmaceuticals, ICT, shipbuilding, energy and household appliances.

Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan said this while he called on Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Rizwan Rahman in the capital on Tuesday.

The envoy said Turkey mostly imports jute from Bangladesh for their carpet industry, and the import of the golden fibre, which is worth $300 million, constitutes around half of the country's total import. 

“We want to rebrand Turkey in Bangladesh,” said the Ambassador, adding the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Turkey did not decline much despite the pandemic.

“Bangladesh’s agriculture sector is being modernised and experiencing a digital transformation at the moment,” he said.

Mr Turan termed this sector highly potential for collaboration.

DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said Bangladesh emerged as Turkey’s third-largest trade partner in South Asia with a total trade volume of $705 million in FY 2018-19.

He also proposed to hold a bilateral virtual B2B conclave to promote private sector investment.

In the meeting, Mr Rahman requested Turkey to withdraw the anti-dumping duty on yarn from Bangladesh imposed on October 16 2018.

The DCCI President said the total trade volume of both countries was $686.88 million in 2019-20, which does not reflect the actual trade potential of these two friendly nations.

DCCI Senior Vice President NKA Mobin, Vice President Monowar Hossain and Commercial Counsellor of Turkish Embassy Kenan Kalayci were present during the meeting.

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