Tashkent, 26 September 2024:

On the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) annual event 2024, Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) held a meeting with Laziz Kudratov, Minister  of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan today ( 26 September 2024) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. As part of the Bangladesh delegation, Additional Secretary (ERD) Mirana Mahrukh Bangladesh Ambassador to Uzbekistan Mohammad Monirul Islam, Joint Secretary (ERD) Masuma Akter and Deputy Secretary (ERD) Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman were also present during the meeting.

Articulating the close proximity between the peoples of Bangladesh and Uzbekistan in terms of history, culture and religion, ERD Secretary Siddiky emphasized the need for working more intimately in further deepening collaborations between our two friendly nations in all aspects of our bilateral relations, with particular attention to realizing the untapped potentials in the areas of trade and investments. He urged the Uzbek Minister to provide more market access and opportunities for Bangladeshi exportable items like RMGs, Pharmaceuticals and jute yarn. In order to inject new momentum into the economic cooperation, he underlined the importance of speedy conclusion of all pending bilateral instruments including the avoidance of double taxation and investment protection agreement as well as MoU between the apex chambers of two countries. He drew the attention of the Minister to resume the Uzbek airways operations in Dhaka to establish direct connectivity between the two capitals, in the interest of further promoting business, tourism and people to people contacts. He also sought the Minister’s support in simplifying visa process and reiterated the necessity of signing the pertinent document for ensuring visa free travel of diplomatic and official passport holders to each other’s countries. Secrecy ERD extended an invitation to the Minister for paying an official visit to Bangladesh at a mutually agreed date on both sides, to which the Minister responded positively.

Uzbek Minister Kudratov appreciated the advancements Bangladesh has made in the industrial sectors and expressed the willingness of his government to engage with Bangladesh more effectively and dynamically for better economic outcomes. He underlined the significance of timely holding of joint commission of trade and economic cooperation meeting to review the progress and prospects of two countries’ economic relations in a regular manner. He also voiced his interests to coordinate with Bangladesh on the matter of organizing business fair, trade seminars and exhibitions in Dhaka at mutually convenient times.

The meeting ended with expressing firm commitment and determination in taking the Bangladesh-Uzbekistan economic cooperation to its next level in the time to come.