Bangladesh invites Türkiye to boost defence sector, technological cooperation

Head of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has extended an invitation to Türkiye to collaborate in advancing technological sectors and establishing a defence industry within the country.

Yunus made the proposal during a meeting with a Turkish delegation led by Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat in Dhaka, highlighting Türkiye’s prominence as a leader in defence technology, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

"You are a technology leader," Yunus remarked, addressing the Turkish representatives.

"You can establish your defence industry in our country. We are ready to cooperate on all fronts."

Yunus emphasized that the collaboration would not only benefit Bangladesh but also contribute to the broader regional development.

Furthermore, Yunus urged Türkiye to consider recruiting local talent to work in its factories in Bangladesh, suggesting that such an initiative would create new opportunities for the youth in the region. "Recognize the potential of our youth here, establish and operate your factories, and generate new opportunities within this region," he added.

The bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Türkiye have been growing stronger, with Türkiye emerging as one of Bangladesh’s key trading partners. In his remarks, Minister Bolat expressed Türkiye’s potential to replace India and other countries as a major importer of Bangladeshi products. 

Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate renowned for his work in poverty alleviation, stressed that such cooperation with Türkiye is essential for the economic stabilization and development of Bangladesh. As the “banker of the poor,” Yunus is focused on achieving long-term economic growth and stability for his country through international partnerships.

Currently, around 20 Turkish companies operate in Bangladesh across various sectors, including readymade garments, textiles, energy, and engineering, underscoring the increasing economic engagement between the two nations. With these new opportunities for collaboration, Bangladesh looks to further solidify its relationship with Türkiye and leverage its technological expertise to drive economic progress.

By Vafa Guliyeva