DHAKA, May 13, 2024 (BSS) - Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and 
Industry (FBCCI) President Mahbubul Alam today said both Bangladesh and 
Turkey could serve as the gateway of trade and business between Europe and 
South and Southeast Asia. 

He said Bangladesh and Turkey offer huge untapped potentials of trade and 
business. "Turkey has a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and 
partly in Europe, a bridge between the two continents. Likewise, situated at 
the foothills of Himalayas, Bangladesh is also the gateway of regions like 
ASEAN and SAARC," he said. 

The FBCCI President opined this while addressing a visiting delegation from 
Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) and the Turkey-Bangladesh 
Business Council today at the FBCCI Icon in the capital, said a press 
release.

Mahbubul said the relations between Turkey and Bangladesh are based on strong 
historical and cultural roots. "Today both nations have expanded beyond 
traditional ties into a prosperous trade and investment partnership," he 
added.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, Bangladesh's exports to Turkey stood at US$ 
495.81 million and imports from Turkey stood at US$ 380.3 million. 

At present, 15-20 large Turkish companies are directly operating in 
Bangladesh in the areas of garments and textiles, accessories, chemicals, 
engineering, construction and energy and more than 100 Turkish companies have 
representatives in Bangladesh. 

These companies have been significantly contributing towards creating jobs, 
bringing in their expertise in manufacturing, construction and engineering 
and diversifying trade for Bangladesh, Mahbubul added. 

The FBCCI President said that the present government of Bangladesh has been 
working relentlessly in order to bolster the economic growth of the country. 

He said the government has taken visible and prudent steps in implementing 
the SDG goals 2030, the national vision 2041 and a Delta Plan-2100. 

"We've a favorable investment policy with tax exemption, Duty Drawbacks, 
Access to working capital and many more," he added. 

The FBCCI President also expressed optimism about future cooperation between 
the two countries, suggesting areas such as pharmaceuticals, tourism, jute, 
and technology where Turkish investments could thrive. 

He also called for the activation of trade promotional activities and 
proposed cooperation in developing high-tech products and tourism 
infrastructure. 

The visiting delegation was led by the Chairperson of the Turkey-Bangladesh 
Business Council Hidayet Onur Ozden. 

Ozden said Bangladesh is like a second-home country to him. "We have been 
operating business in Bangladesh for a long time. There are many 
opportunities out there to strengthen the bilateral trade between the two 
countries. The trade and business ties between Bangladesh and Turkey are 
improving day by day and it is time to bolster the growth of economic 
prosperity of the two nations," he added.

The Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh Ramis Sen appreciated the recent 
infrastructural development of the country. 

He also invited the Bangladesh business leaders to visit Turkey in the 
upcoming months.
 
FBCCI Senior Vice-president Md. Amin Helaly said Bangladesh offers huge 
investment potentials for Turkish investors. "The country will be the ninth 
largest consumer market in the world by 2030. Turkish businesses can take 
this opportunity to operate their business in Bangladesh. FBCCI will be more 
than willing to help where needed," he added. 

FBCCI Vice-president Dr. Joshoda Jibon Deb Nath, its Directors, Secretary 
General Md. Alamgir, Distinguished Members of the delegation from DEIK and 
Turkey-Bangladesh Business Council and business dignitaries from different 
sectors of Bangladesh were present, among others, at the meeting.