The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh Sakir Torunlar has said that the trade relations between Bangladesh and Turkey are not at the satisfactory level.

"Together we must try to bring the trade volume to US$1 billion level," he said while speaking at an Iftar party hosted by

Turkey-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBCCI) at Radisson Water Garden Hotel in the city recently.

Ambassador Sakir Torunlar said, "Normally ambassadors are occupied with dealing with political issues between countries. But there is no political problem between Bangladesh and Turkey. So, I am willing to focus on improving the economic relations between two countries. I am going to give my full effort in this regard."

FBCCI president Annisul Huq and leading businessmen of Bangladesh and Turkey attended the Iftar party. Besides, chairmen of Uttara Group, AK Khan Group and Paradise Group also attended the iftar party.

A press release of the TBCCI said aiming to improve business relations between Bangladesh and Turkey it arranges Iftar parties during every Ramadan. TBCCI management selected Radisson Hotel as this year's venue. After the arrival of the guests a video demonstrating the activities of TBCCI and visit to Turkey by 22 businessmen from Bangladesh was shown. President of TBCCI Fikret Cicek delivered a speech welcoming the guests.

The TBCCI President said, "As TBCCI we started operation in 2007. Within a year Bangladeshi businessmen in our chamber increased substantially. We could see it today, though this is our second Iftar party only we proudly host many business elite of Bangladesh. Last June we arranged a group of 22 businessmen and we represented Bangladesh in one-week Turkey-Asia Pacific Foreign Trade Bridge II at Istanbul's WOW Convention Center where 465 businessmen from 22 countries of the Asia Pacific region found the opportunity to discuss joint business projects. As TBCCI we are honored for successfully representing Bangladesh at this summit and to show the real high potential of Bangladeshi businesspeople at international arena. I would like to heartily thank to FBCCI president Annisul Huq for his sincere endeavor which really made this trip this much successful. On behalf of TBCCI I would like to state our gratefulness for your kind response and encouraging support to our chamber. '

Annisul Huq said, "Recently I have visited Turkey through the invitation of TBCCI. What I have seen in Turkey was much more than I expected. Turkey is a very modem country and its people were very courteous to us. We have a very strong historical bond with Turkish people. Turkey is a country that we have to develop bilateral relations."

The TBCCI management presented a crest to the FBCCI President as a sign of their thankfulness for his support to the recent Turkey summit. Annisul Huq was also one of the participants in the Bangladeshi delegation and he delivered a speech at the inauguration ceremony. He also visited Abdullah Gul, President of Turkey. Crest was presented to Huq by Sakir Torunlar, Ambassador of Turkey.