bangladesh4u

AGENCIES, ANKARA

Apr 13: Bangladesh and Turkey agreed to take concrete steps for expanding bilateral trade, commerce and investment as Prime Minister Khaleda Zia held formal talks with her Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday.

Before the talks at the delegation level, the two Prime Ministers had about a 20-minute tete-a-tete at the host Prime Minister’s office. " The talks were very constructive and fruitful," Khaleda told reporters after the official meeting with Erdogan.

At a joint meet-the-press function Prime Minister Khaleda and Prime Minister Erdogan stressed increasing cooperation in the field of commerce and economy through enhancing two-way trade and investment in joint ventures.

Khaleda pleaded for the import of more Bangladeshi goods, including pharmaceuticals, apparels, jute and jute goods and leather items. She also sought Turkish investment in big construction projects in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister called for enhancing cooperation in education, science and technology and cultural fields.

Khaleda suggested convening meeting of the Joint Economic Commission.

The JEC is likely to meet in October.

Prime Minister Erdogan expressed his country’s desire to invest in joint-venture projects, including in textile and food-processing sectors. He said the economic relations between the two countries should grow continuously.

Current volume of bilateral trade stood at USD 114 million in 2004-05, of which Bangladesh exported goods worth around US$76 million to Turkey.

Erdogan said Turkey considers Bangladesh as a close friend, and both the countries being the members of OIC possess common views on various international issues, including Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. Both the leaders underscored the need for strengthening OIC.

He said Turkey and Bangladesh also have common views on combating international terrorism.

The official talks that lasted over an hour also discussed regional and international issues of common concern.

Earlier, Khaleda Zia in her opening remarks to the press said, "The just-concluded bilateral meeting led by two of us was very constructive and fruitful."

"I am very glad that during the discussion many new areas of cooperation have been identified as well as mutual cordiality has been deepened," she said, adding that she had an exclusive meeting with her Turkish counterpart.

"We have agreed to take effective steps regarding increasing the trade and commerce between the two countries," Khaleda told the newsmen.

Besides, the PM said, stress has been given on holding joint economic commission meeting as well as regular Foreign Ministry consultations every two years.

"I am hopeful that a new horizon of bigger cooperation between the two friendly countries would be opened up."

She said the two sides reached consensus on enhancing mutual cooperation between business leaders to accelerate trade and commerce.

The PM said Bangladesh is determined to work closely with Turkey to continuously expand and strengthen the prevailing atmosphere of improving bilateral relations and mutual welfare- oriented cooperation.

She noted that remarkable success has been achieved in the field of bilateral relations after establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Bangladesh always gives much importance to brotherly relations with Turkey, Khaleda said, adding that friendly relations between Bangladesh and Turkey have stood the test of time.

Khaleda informed that she invited the Turkish Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh and he cordially accepted her invitation and expressed his desire to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

The PM said due to geographical reasons Turkey has emerged as a regional power. "We are interested to further strengthen the bilateral relations for the welfare of peoples of the two countries."

"I believe that my current visit will further intensify, expedite and expand the existing relations of the two countries," she told the press.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia formally inaugurated Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Avenue in Ankara Thursday. The Prime Minister, flanked by Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan and Mayor in charge of Ankara City unveiled the plaque of the avenue, named after Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, in the afternoon.

The Presidential Palace of Turkey is located on Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Avenue.

Later, a munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for late President Zia and the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh and Turkey.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, now on a state visit to Turkey, said next general election in Bangladesh is due in about eight months time when people would exercise their franchise under the constitutional provision.

"We’ve been able to put our democratic institutions on firm settings. We’ve a vibrant parliament, an independent judiciary, an accountable executive and a free press. The people remain at the centre of power," she said in her speech at a banquet hosted in her honour by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the PM’s residence.

Khaleda said Bangladesh and Turkey are among the largest democracies in the world having majority Muslim populations. " Our common aspiration is to pursue a path of moderation, tolerance and liberalism. Our common goals are peace, stability and development," she told the Turkish leaders and elite.

On terrorism, the Prime Minister said her government is opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Recently, she told the function, Bangladesh came under attack of a small group of misled militants who wanted to destabilise the country by abusing the good name of Islam. " My government has dealt with the issue in a firm and resolute manner."

Describing her visit to Turkey as truly historic, she said it commemorates 30 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between Dhaka and Ankara. She observed that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s visit to Turkey in 1976 and ’78 laid strong foundations of bilateral relations that have grown in strength and dimension over the years.

Khaleda said the naming of an avenue in Ankara, the plaque of which she unveiled today, would remain as a milestone marking the solidarity and goodwill of the two fraternal peoples.

" Bangladesh’s relationship with Turkey is special and unique," she said, adding that Bangladesh’s national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was greatly inspired by the richness of Turkey’s culture as many of his poems and songs are based on Turkish themes and tunes, including the immortal poem ‘Kemal Pasha’.

Focusing on international arena, the Prime Minister said as members of the UN, OIC and D-8 Bangladesh and Turkey closely cooperate in all international forums to promote development, peace and stability worldwide.

Khaleda hoped that the OIC would gain momentum under the leadership of Turkey in safeguarding the interests of its members.

About D-8 summit in Indonesia next month, she expressed her intention to attend the meet at Bali and hoped that the summit would be able to embark on a Plan of Action that will make the forum more focussed and action-oriented.

Another report adds: Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said here Thursday that Bangladesh has successfully entered the global investment map and is eager to be a serious partner of the global economic community.

"We have already liberalised our economy. Most of our sectors have been opened to foreign direct investment. We offer very attractive incentives to foreign investors…" she said urging the Turkish companies to invest in promising and potential sectors of Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a business meeting organised by Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange of Turkey at TOBB Headquarters.

Khaleda said her government attaches high priority to power generation and oil and gas exploration, besides developing port facilities and construction of roads and bridges.

Expressing happiness that some Turkish firms are already involved in infrastructure development projects in Bangladesh, she hoped that more leading Turkish investors would participate in developing telecommunications, civil constructions, railways, roads etc.

About foreign investment, she mentioned that the net annual FDI inflow to Bangladesh has increased by 34 percent and said large TNCs like Orascom of Egypt, Tata Group of India, Dhabi Group of UAE, Lafarge of France and TMI of Malaysia have already started investing in Bangladesh.

The total investment outlay of these five companies are expected to exceed US five billion in next three years, she said, adding that the recent increase in interest among foreign investors from various countries indicates that Bangladesh has successfully entered the global investment map.

Referring to Bangladesh’s natural resources, Khaleda said Bangladesh is endowed with a large reserve of both natural gas and high quality coal that makes the country suitable for establishing energy-intensive manufacturing industries.

On Dhaka-Ankara bilateral trade, the Prime Minister said since the two-way trade is not up to its potentials, "We need to work together to identify the areas of cooperation to harness the existing potentials."

Khaleda said Bangladesh offers competitive prices as well as quality pharmaceuticals, footwear, ceramic, handicrafts, jute goods, leather goods, frozen food and agricultural products.

She said Turkey might consider importing these products from Bangladesh and benefit by introducing Bangladeshi products to meet the demands of CIS countries.

The PM hoped that businessmen from both the sides would be able to identify opportunities for industrial investment and trade for mutual benefit.

She said the emergence of global production systems has now created new opportunities for compatible economies. Private sectors of Turkey and Bangladesh can coordinate among themselves to develop a competitive supply-chain for global consumption.

Khaleda said Bangladeshi products enjoy GSP privileges in the EU and duty- and quota-free access to most markets of the developed countries, including Canada, Australia and Japan. "Such preferential treatment gives us unique market access and comparative cost advantage over other competing countries.

Presidents of TOBB and FBCCI also spoke at the function.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin, Bangladesh business delegation and Turkish businessmen attended the function.

Earlier, the Prime Minister paid a rich tribute at the mausoleum of father of modern Turkey Kemal Ataturk and placed wreaths.

She stood in solemn silence and later signed a visitor’s book at the mausoleum.

After placing wreath at the mausoleum, the Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial reception by the Turkish government where its Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received her.

She was also given a guard of honour by a contingent of Turkish Armed Forces.

Earlier, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was accorded a formal ceremonial reception by the Turkish government Thursday, the second day of her 4-day state visit to Turkey.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Prime Minister Khaleda and led her to the decorated podium at the ceremonial ground of Turkish PM Office.

A smartly turned out contingent of Turkish Armed Forces gave guard of honour to the Bangladesh Prime Minister when national anthems of the two countries were played.

Prime Minister Khaleda reviewed the parade and said "Marhaba Asker" (denoting well-done Armed Forces).

The delegation members of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Turkish ministers and senior civil and military officials were present at the reception.