Eleven Bangladeshi and six Turkish companies have formed the Bangladesh-Türkiye Business Forum (BTBF). The forum will solidify support for bilateral trade, investments, and cultural encounters and act as an advocacy platform promoting bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Turkey, a statement issued by the Turkish embassy said.
The forum members: Rubana Huq, managing director of Mohammadi Group and vice-chancellor of Asian University for Women (AUW), was elected chairperson.
- The founding Turkish companies in the forum are: United Aygaz LPG Ltd., Turkish Airlines in Bangladesh, Technology & Innovation, Arcelik, NKY Architects & Engineers, EPIK Holding and LCWaikiki.
- The Bangladeshi companies at the forum include Mohammadi Group, AK Khan & Co Ltd., Kazi Farms Group, BSRM, Square Group, Bengal Group Ltd., Cosmos Group, Singer Bangladesh Ltd., United Group, MM Ispahani Ltd. and Akij Group.
- Turkish ambassadors in Dhaka will be patrons of the forum, while the honorary consul general of Turkey in Bangladesh will be honorary member of the executive board.
The activities: The BTBF will soon be legally constituted to perform its activities through its working groups on trade, investment and cultural activities.
- A research and data cell will be created within its secretariat to develop collaboration with experts and relevant institutions, the Turkish embassy said in the statement.
- Gender balance will be encouraged in the membership and leadership structure of the BTBF.
- A delegation of the forum is planning to visit Turkey in September to meet with the Turkish government and business representatives and to explore opportunities for collaboration.
What they said:
May this forum strengthen bilateral ties, expedite connections and optimise potential. The business to business and people to people connect will surely offer more opportunities to explore at both our ends.
— Rubana Huq
Chairperson
BTBF
From now on, there is a new powerful business platform who will rebrand Türkiye in Bangladesh and Bangladesh in Turkey so that our people can get to know each other better and tap into their full potential through partnerships and joint projects.
— Mustafa Osman Turan
Turkey ambassador to Bangladesh
The forum is significant as some of the oldest and largest corporates of Bangladesh and Turkey are represented. Since both are members of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, Bangladesh can evolve as a hub for Turkish companies in the Bay of Bengal region and Türkiye for Bangladeshi companies in the EU & the Central Asian regions.
— Salahuddin Kasem Khan
Honorary consul-general, Chattogram
