Bangladesh seeks to advance FTA talks with Turkey

Bangladesh wants to advance negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Turkey while strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation, including by drawing on Turkish expertise in hazardous waste management.

The issues were discussed at a meeting between Trade, Textiles and Jute and Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramiz Sen at the Industries Ministry in Dhaka today (5 October), according to a press release from the Trade Ministry.

The two sides reviewed progress on initiating FTA negotiations and discussed expanding business contacts for importing fruits from Turkey and Bangladesh's participation in international trade conferences.

Muktadir also expressed interest in holding a bilateral meeting with Turkey's trade minister and meeting investment agencies during his upcoming visit to the country.

To facilitate fruit imports, Bangladesh sought the contact details of Turkish fruit-exporting organisations so the information can be shared with relevant Bangladeshi businesses.

The meeting also discussed cooperation on the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste from the electronics and shipbreaking industries, including the possibility of working with Turkey on specialised facilities or treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs).

The Turkish ambassador said leather processing and tannery operations had declined in Turkey due to environmental concerns, while the use of synthetic leather and imports of raw materials had increased.

Sen also invited Bangladesh to participate in the upcoming ministerial meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), as well as the World Halal Industrial Summit and Halal Expo.

Bangladesh said the trade minister would attend the COMCEC main conference, while other Bangladeshi representatives would participate in the subsequent events.