Bangladesh is embracing the enemies of both India and Israel. Bangladesh has taken this step to strengthen its military power. Due to Turkey's inclination towards Pakistan, there is tension in Turkey's relations with India. Also, due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, Turkey banned any kind of import and export with Israel in May 2024. Bangladesh is now putting all its strength to strengthen itself and for this, it has joined hands with Turkey.
Turkey's Trade Minister Professor Dr. Umar Bolat arrived in Dhaka with his delegation on January 9. Where he met Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government Mohammad Yunus.
During this meeting, Bangladesh and Turkey discussed several issues ranging from trade to military to strengthen relations. Bangladesh and Turkey discussed the possibility of cooperation in the defense industry. During this meeting, Chief Advisor Professor Yunus urged Turkey to bring its technology to Bangladesh and invest as much as possible here. Set up your factory here and involve the people of Bangladesh in it.
During this meeting, Professor Yunus told Turkey's Trade Minister Professor Dr. Umar Bolat, your country is a leader in technology, you can build your defense industry here. Let's make a new beginning. Whatever you need, we are here to help you. Yunus said, Bangladesh and Turkey have the strength to build a strong relationship through mutual cooperation in various fields. Bangladesh's Chief Advisor told Turkey's Trade Minister that there are still many things to be done, we need your support in this, we need your technology and we need your investment.
Describing Bangladesh as the 8th most populous country in the world, Muhammad Yunus said the interim government is trying to create more jobs for the youth in the country and needs Turkey's help in this.
Turkish Minister Professor Omar Bolat said that Bangladesh and Turkey can expand their cooperation beyond the textile industry to other areas as well. He said that there can be economic cooperation between Turkey and Bangladesh in the field of defense industry, health care pharmaceuticals and agricultural machinery.
Also, referring to India, the Turkish minister said that we can replace India and other markets in Bangladesh's imports. Cooperation can happen at every level in the economic and social sectors. He also said that Bangladesh and Turkey can also cooperate at the university level.
In the year 2023-24, Bangladesh exported goods worth 581 million to Turkey. At the same time, it imported goods worth 424 million from the country. Now about 20 big Turkish companies are working in Bangladesh in the textile and accessories, chemical, engineering, construction and engineering sectors.
During his meeting with the Turkish Trade Minister, Chief Adviser Yunus also recalled his telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in August, following which an eight-member Turkish delegation visited Bangladesh in October.
