Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday stressed the need for advancing negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Türkiye and strengthening cooperation in trade and investment.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Şen at the Ministry of Industries.
At the meeting, the two sides discussed the proposed FTA, business opportunities in fruit imports and Bangladesh's participation in international trade conferences.
They also explored ways to tap Türkiye's experience and capacity in managing hazardous industrial waste, alongside expanding bilateral economic ties.
Reviewing progress towards launching FTA negotiations, the two sides expressed optimism about further strengthening trade and economic cooperation.
Muktadir expressed interest in holding a bilateral meeting with Türkiye's trade minister and meeting the country's investment agency during his upcoming visit to Türkiye.
Bangladesh also sought contact details of Turkish fruit exporting organisations to facilitate business links between Bangladeshi and Turkish traders.
The two sides discussed channelling this information to relevant Bangladeshi traders through the Ministry of Commerce.
Management of hazardous waste from the electronics and ship-breaking industries also received emphasis at the meeting.
In this regard, the two sides discussed possible cooperation in developing treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs) in Bangladesh, drawing on Türkiye's experience and expertise in managing such hazardous waste.
Discussing the leather industry, the Turkish ambassador said leather processing and tannery operations in his country have declined due to environmental concerns, while the use of synthetic leather and imports of raw materials have increased.
He invited Bangladesh to attend the upcoming ministerial-level conference under the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), as well as the World Halal Industrial Summit and Halal Expo.
The Bangladesh side said Muktadir will attend the main COMCEC conference, while other Bangladeshi representatives will join the subsequent events.