Bangladesh and Turkey have considerable scope for reaping mutual trade benefits by deepening collaboration and cooperation.

The optimism was expressed when Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at the latter’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka on July 17.

BGMEA First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Asif Ashraf, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO issue ANM Saifuddin were also present at the meeting.

They discussed various issues including potential areas of enhancing trade and investment between Bangladesh and Turkey.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said there are huge opportunities for Bangladesh and Turkey to complement each other on issues related to mutual interests, particularly in boosting apparel and textile business in both countries.

Expressing the same view, Ambassador Mustafa Osman Turan stressed the importance of making investment in joint ventures in the RMG and textile industry of both countries.

They also expressed interest in facilitating sharing of knowledge and expertise in apparel and textile industry through collaboration between BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) and leading Turkish fashion institutes. 

Interactions between designers and technical experts through exchange of faculties and students will help to develop knowledge and skills and benefit both countries, they opined.