Economic Relations Division (ERD) secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky has urged Uzbekistan to provide more market access and opportunities for Bangladeshi exportable items like RMGs, pharmaceuticals and jute yarn.
Shahriar made the call when he met Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Thursday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) annual event 2024.
As part of the Bangladesh delegation, Additional Secretary (ERD) Mirana Mahrukh, Bangladesh Ambassador to Uzbekistan Mohammad Monirul Islam, Joint Secretary (ERD) Masuma Akter and Deputy Secretary (ERD) Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman were also present at the meeting, said a press release received on Thursday.
Articulating the proximity between the people of Bangladesh and Uzbekistan in terms of history, culture and religion, the ERD secretary emphasized the need for working more intimately in further deepening collaborations between the two friendly nations in all aspects of the bilateral relations, with particular attention to realizing the untapped potentials in the areas of trade and investments.
To inject new momentum into the economic cooperation, Shahriar underlined the importance of a speedy conclusion of all pending bilateral instruments, including the avoidance of double taxation and investment protection agreement as well as MoU between the apex chambers of the two countries.
He drew the attention of the minister to resume operations of the Uzbek Airways with Dhaka to establish direct connectivity between the two capitals, in the interest of further promoting business, tourism and people-to-people contacts.
The ERD secretary also sought the minister's support in simplifying the visa process and reiterated the necessity of signing the pertinent document for ensuring visa-free travel of diplomatic and official passport holders to each other's countries.
He also extended an invitation to the minister to pay an official visit to Bangladesh at a mutually agreed date on both sides, to which the minister responded positively.
Uzbek Minister Kudratov appreciated the advancements Bangladesh has made in the industrial sectors and expressed the willingness of his government to engage with Bangladesh more effectively and dynamically for better economic outcomes.
He underlined the significance of timely holding of joint Commission of Trade and Economic Cooperation meetings to review the progress and prospects of the two countries' economic relations regularly.
Kudratov also voiced his interest in coordinating with Bangladesh on the matter of organising business fairs, trade seminars and exhibitions in Dhaka at mutually convenient times.
The meeting ended with expressing firm commitment and determination to take the Bangladesh-Uzbekistan economic cooperation to its next level in the time to come.
