Bangladesh has requested Uzbekistan to expedite the proposed MoUs and agreements pending with Uzbek side as the two countries want enhanced bilateral relationship on economic, commercial, trade and other spheres.

The request came at the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) meeting between the two countries held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan on Monday. 

Both sides also discussed introduction of direct flight between Dhaka and Tashkent, avoidance of double taxation, visa waiver agreement for official and diplomatic passport holders, exchange of visit in the field of general and education.

The Bangladesh side was led by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, while Uzbek side was led by Deputy Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan Furkat Ahmedovich Sidikov., according to  a message received here.

Bangladesh urged the Uzbek side for creating good investment opportunities for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan. 

Bangladesh is the second largest garment exporting country in the world after China, the delegation told the Uzbek side.

Bangladesh also exports pharmaceuticals to 137 countries in the world. 

If business and industry friendly situation is created in Uzbekistan, investors from Bangladesh can come forward with their investment plans in Uzbekistan, said the Bangladesh side in the FOC. 

Natural gas of Uzbekistan can be of great help for investment in the field of industries. 

Bangladesh foreign secretary also requested his Uzbek counterpart to set up Uzbekistan Embassy in Dhaka. 

At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to sign a "Programme of Cooperation" for the year 2022-2023 between the two countries which was proposed by Uzbek side. 

This Program of Cooperation will allow Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh Foreign Ministry and University of World Economy and Diplomacy to start cooperation in the field of education, sharing information and communication technology and consular consultation. 

Bangladesh Ambassador to Uzbekistan Md Zahangir Alam, Director General (EE & CIS) S. Bodiruzzaman, Minister of the Embassy Nripendra Chandra Debnath, Director of Foreign Secretary’s Office Md Jubayed Hosen were present from Bangladesh side while Oybek Eshonov, Director General (Department for Cooperation with South Asia, Near, Middle East and African countries) and J. Rajabov, Head of Division (Treaty-Law Department) were present from Uzbek side. 

The next FCO meeting will be held in 2023 in Dhaka.