Today, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus asked Turkey to leverage Bangladesh’s youth forces, relocate enterprises, increase investment, and bring their technologies to Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser made the call during a visit from a team to the State Guest House Jamuna here this evening, which was led by Turkish Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat.
Mentioning Bangladesh as the 8th most populous country in the world, Prof Yunus said the interim government was working to create work opportunities for the country’s youths and sought Turkey’s help in this regard.
“We have to give our young people an opportunity, so we want your help; this is my appeal to your country,” he said.
“Use our young people to run your factories here so that you can supply your products in the region,” he said.
The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh and Turkey have the potential to build a dream relationship through mutual cooperation in various fields.
“The relationship between Bangladesh and Turkey is very warm; we want to build it in all sectors,” he said.
“There are so many things to be done . . . we want your support, your technology, and your investments,” Prof Yunus said.
“You are the leader of the technology; you can build your defence industry here. Let’s make a beginning… we are available for anything that you need,” he added.
Bangladesh and Turkey can expand their collaboration beyond the textile sector, which was their main import from Bangladesh, according to Turkey Trade Minister Dr. Omer Bolat.
He claimed that the defense sector, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural machines could all benefit from economic cooperation.
“We can replace India and other markets in Bangladesh’s imports. There can be cooperation in economic and social fields at all levels,” he said.
The Turkey minister also said Bangladesh and Turkish universities can have reciprocal cooperation.
Bangladesh’s exports to Turkey stood at around US$ 581 million in 2023-24, while imports were around US$ 424 million.
Currently, there are about 20 sizable Turkish businesses working in Bangladesh in the fields of engineering, building, energy, chemicals, accessories, and clothing and textiles.
Notable Turkish businesses in Bangladesh include Coca-Cola I-ecek, the Turkish LPG company AYGAZ, and the refrigerator and air conditioner manufacturer ARCILIK (which recently purchased Singer Bangladesh Ltd.).
The Chief Adviser mentioned in the meeting how he spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the phone in August and how an eight-member Turkish delegation traveled to Bangladesh in October.
Among those in attendance were BIDA Chairman Ashik Mahmud Chowdhory, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser Mahfuj Alam, and SDG Affairs Secretary Lamiya Morshed.
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