The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Turkey

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman has hoped that the trade volume of Bangladesh and Turkey would reach one billion US dollars in near future.

Hossain Zillur, who is leading a Bangladesh delegation to the 77th Izmir International Fair in Turkey, said this while having a discussion with Minister for Industries and Trade of Turkey Mehmet Zafer Caglayan on Saturday.

The adviser underscored that Turkey as the seventh largest economy in the world could be the key destination for Bangladesh exports.

He mentioned that the export target for Turkey in 2007-08 was US$ 220 million, within the first five months the target had been achieved, and present Bangladesh's export to Turkey is US$ 289 million out of the total trade volume of US$ 352 million.

He stated that readymade garments (RMG), pharmaceuticals, textile, energy and petroleum and leather and ceramic could be the most potential sectors for future trade and investment between the two countries.

He added that Turkish investors could take advantage of the cheap labour, tax holidays and other infrastructural supports for investment in Bangladesh.

Dr Hossain Zillur sated that exchange of high-level business delegation in the state and private level will revitalise the trade relations between the two brotherly countries and open immense opportunities for mutual trade benefits.

He requested the Turkish trade minister to ease the banking system in Turkey, so that businessmen of the two countries can easily remit and receive currencies.

He laid stress on technology transfer and knowledge and information sharing between the two brotherly countries.

The adviser invited the trade minister to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience. Caglayan warmly accepted the invitation and assured his visit to Bangladesh at the earliest opportunity.

Recalling the historical ties between the two countries, the trade minister of Turkey expressed deep satisfaction over the existing bilateral relations and reiterated his vow to further strengthen it.

During the discussion, Caglayan mentioned that Bangladesh and Turkey can unify their strength for competing in the world market.

He stressed that Bangladesh-Turkey joint ventures can easily compete well in the world market. He also stated that RMG, shipbuilding and textile could be the most potential fields of cooperation.

Later in the evening, Dr Hossain Zillur attended the formal inaugural ceremony of the 77th Izmir International Fair and also visited the Bangladesh stall in the fair.