DHAKA, Jan 9, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today urged
Turkey to bring their technology to Bangladesh, invest more, relocate
factories, and use Bangladesh's youth forces.

The Chief Adviser made the call when a delegation, led by Turkish Trade
Minister Prof Dr Omer Bolat, called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna here this evening.

Mentioning Bangladesh as the 8th most populous country in the world, Prof
Yunus said the interim government was working to create work opportunities
for the country's youths and sought Turkey's help in this regard.

"We have to give our young people an opportunity, so we want your help; this
is my appeal to your country," he said.

"Use our young people to run your factories here so that you can supply your
products in the region," he said.

The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh and Turkey have the potential to build a
dream relationship through mutual cooperation in various fields.

"The relationship between Bangladesh and Turkey is very warm; we want to
build it in all sectors," he said.

"There are so many things to be done . . . we want your support, your
technology, and your investments," Prof Yunus said.

"You are the leader of the technology; you can build your defence industry
here. Let's make a beginning... we are available for anything that you need,"
he added.

Turkey Trade Minister Dr Omer Bolat said Bangladesh and Turkey can
diversify their cooperation beyond the textile industry, which was their
primary import from Bangladesh.

He said there can be economic cooperation in the field of defence industry,
healthcare, pharmaceuticals and farm machinery.

"We can replace India and other markets in Bangladesh's imports. There can be
cooperation in economic and social fields at all levels," he said.

The Turkey minister also said Bangladesh and Turkish universities can have
reciprocal cooperation.

Bangladesh's exports to Turkey stood at around US$ 581 million in 2023-24,
while imports were around US$ 424 million.

Now nearly 20 large Turkish companies are operating in Bangladesh in garments
and textiles, accessories, chemicals, engineering, construction, and energy
sectors.

Among the Turkish companies operating in Bangladesh, notable ones include the
Turkish LPG company AYGAZ, Coca-Cola I‡ecek, and the refrigerator and AC
manufacturer ARCILIK (which has acquired Singer Bangladesh Ltd.).

During the meeting, the Chief Adviser recalled his telephone conversation
with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in August, following which an
eight-member Turkish delegation visited Bangladesh in October.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Special Envoy to
the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, SDG Affairs Secretary Lamiya Morshed and
BIDA Chairman Ashik Mahmud Chowdhory were present on the occasion, among
others.