With an aim to promote bilateral relations, the Bangladesh-Türkiye Business Forum (BTBF) was officially launched on Tuesday, paving the way for a new era in trade and investment between the two countries.
“This is an important occasion for us, because our countries are building another bridge through this business forum,” said outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan.
Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman spoke at the event as the chief guest, which began with brief classical music at the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka.
An hour before the launching event at the Embassy, Ambassador Turan together with the BTBF leaders opened the office of BTBF at “Marina Mansion” at the capital’s Gulshan-2.
Honorary Consul General of Türkiye in Chattogram and co-chairman of BTBF Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Managing Director of Mohammadi Group and BTBF chairperson Dr Rubana Huq and CEO of United AYGAZ LPG Ltd and BTBF Secretary Ercument Polat spoke at the event.
Daffodil International University (DIU) students spoke on youth’s expectations from the Bangladeshi business community.
PM’s Adviser Salman Rahman said there is a huge potential, and though the trade between the two countries is increasing, “there is room for much more.”
He said big companies’ presence in Bangladesh from Turkey is a kind of certification that encourages companies across the world to come and invest in Bangladesh, adding that tourism can be another potential area for both sides that brings the two countries closer.
The forthcoming joint economic commission’s meeting to be held in Dhaka is very important, he said, and BTBF can play a role prior to the meeting between the two countries in identifying the opportunities to take the relations forward.
“In today’s world, the private sector is the moving force in any economy. Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made it very clear that the government’s role is to create an enabling environment,” said the Adviser.
He added that the government has taken the decision to open up more opportunities for the private sector.
Salahuddin Kasem Khan termed the launching event a “landmark occasion” and said their main role in the BTBF will be to play a role in attracting more foreign direct investment (FDA) from Turkey.
Apart from promoting trade and investment, he said the BTBF will help promote art, culture and people-to-people relations.
Rubana Huq said Turkiye imposed a 17 per cent safeguard duty on the RMG imports from Bangladesh and other least developed countries (LDCs).
“That made things very difficult for us to compete,” she said.
However, she also said there are endless areas of collaboration.
Ambassador Turan said promoting trade and investment was a big part of their agenda during his tenure in Bangladesh and there is nothing better than leaving BTBF behind as one of his humble legacies in Bangladesh two brings the two countries closer and together.
He said the joint economic commission meeting in Bangladesh will add new values to bilateral relations.
“Bangladesh has become my second home. Definitely, I will come back,” said Ambassador Turan, adding that he will remain an ambassador of Bangladesh in Turkey to promote the relations.
At the end of his three years tenure in Bangladesh, Ambassador Turan said he is confident that the upward trend in relationships will continue and their trade and investments will be diversified.
As a result of growing interactions between businesses and entrepreneurs, the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka took the initiative to encourage and support the establishment of “Bangladesh-Türkiye Business Forum” (BTBF).
With this business forum, he said, there are three objectives. One of the objectives is to promote trade and investments in both countries.
The second is to facilitate business partnerships and the third is to rebrand Bangladesh in Turkey and rebrand Turkey in Bangladesh through exchanges, said Ambassador Turan.
He also highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges because the two countries have a strong shared cultural history and values.
“The Business Forum would bring to light historical facts about our countries,” he said.
