Bangladesh Prime Minister travels to Turkey

Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia left Wednesday for a visit to Turkey that will focus on boosting bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Zia was expected to seek better market access for Bangladeshi goods and more Turkish investment during official talks Thursday with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital, Ankara , Hemayetuddin, a senior Bangladesh foreign ministry official said ahead of the visit. Hemayetuddin uses only one name.

Photo: Bangladesh Prime Minister travels to Turkey

Zia will also address leading Turkish businessmen in Ankara and Istanbul , and ask them to take advantage of investment opportunities in Bangladesh . Her 34-member entourage includes a six-member business delegation. Bangladesh exported goods worth US$76.24 million (63 million) to Turkey in 2004-05, while bilateral trade amounted to US$114 million (94 million). There is no direct Turkish investment in Bangladesh .

Dhaka would like to expand Bangladeshi exports to Turkey , including readymade garments, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and leather, and revive a joint economic commission, which last met in 1992. Zia will also call on Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, before returning home Saturday, reports the AP.

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