New Bangladesh-Türkiye forum to boost bilateral trade

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Eleven Bangladeshi and six Turkish companies have decided to establish a joint forum at a meeting hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka.

The Bangladesh-Türkiye Business Forum "will solidify support for bilateral trade, investments, and cultural encounters and act as an advocacy platform promoting bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Türkiye,” according to a statement issued by the embassy on Friday morning.

The founding Turkish companies in the forum are: United Aygaz LPG Ltd., Turkish Airlines in Bangladesh, Technology & Innovation, Arcelik, NKY Architects & Engineers, EPIK Holding and LCWaikiki.

The Bangladeshi companies at the forum include Mohammadi Group, AK Khan & Co Ltd., Kazi Farms Group, BSRM, Square Group, Bengal Group Ltd., Cosmos Group, Singer Bangladesh Ltd., United Group, MM Ispahani Ltd. and Akij Group.

“May this forum strengthen bilateral ties, expedite connections and optimize potential. The business to business and people to people connect will surely offer more opportunities to explore at both our ends,” Rubana Huq, one of the top Bangladeshi business leaders, said after being elected as the chairperson of forum.

Within the scope of the forum, a research and data cell will also be created to collaborate with experts and relevant institutions.

Salahuddin Kasem Khan, the forum's chairperson and honorary consul general of Türkiye in Chattogram, said: “The forum is significant as some of the oldest and largest corporates of Bangladesh and Türkiye are represented.

"Since both are members of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, Bangladesh can evolve as a hub for Turkish companies in the Bay of Bengal region and Türkiye for Bangladeshi companies in the EU & the Central Asian regions.”

Turkish ambassadors in Dhaka will be patrons of the forum, while honorary consul general of Türkiye in Bangladesh will be honorary members of the executive board.

Mustafa Osman Turan, the Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh, expressed his pleasure at the decision of the 17 companies to join forces for mutual benefits.

“From now on, there is a new powerful business platform who will rebrand Türkiye in Bangladesh and Bangladesh in Türkiye so that our people can get to know each other better and tap into their full potential through partnerships and joint projects,” Turan said.

A delegation of the forum is planning to visit Türkiye in September.