Bangladeshi prime minister meets Turkish counterpart

The prime minister of Bangladesh met her Turkish counterpart Thursday at the start of a three-day visit to try and push for better market access for Bangladeshi goods.

Photo: Bangladeshi prime minister meets Turkish counterpart

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will also meet with Turkish businessmen in the capital Ankara and in the main commercial city of Istanbul.

Bangladesh exported goods worth around US$76 million ( Ђ 63 million) to Turkey in 2004-2005. The densely populated southeast Asian country's primary exports include garments, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and leather.

Bangladesh, with more than 140 million people, has around twice the population of Turkey, but a gross domestic product per person of less than a third. Both are predominantly Muslim countries.

Zia was expected to give a news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Thursday, reports the AP.

I.L.