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Dhaka, Ankara sign two MoUs to boost bilateral cooperation

Turkey to continue support to Rohingyas, improve trade ties with BD


December 20, 2017 00:00:00


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim observe the signing of two MoUs between the two countries at PMO in Dhaka on Tuesday. — BSS

Visiting Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Tuesday expressed his country's intention to further improve the existing strong trade and economic relations with Bangladesh, report agencies.

He also assured of continuing its support to Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.

Turkish Prime Minister will visit Rohingya Refugee camps in Cox's Bazar today (Wednesday) to see the plight of Rohingyas who fled from a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state since August 25.

"We've discussed what we can do to improve our economic and trade relations," he said terming Bangladesh a dynamic nation with nearly 7 per cent growth over the past few years.

After a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, the Turkish Prime Minister highly appreciated Hasina's diplomacy over Rohingya issue and Bangladesh's support to the displaced people.

He said the bilateral document signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar on November 23 will make Rohingyas' return to their home possible soon.

The Turkish Prime Minister urged the international community to enhance their support for Rohingyas in Bangladesh and finding a political solution to the crisis looking at it as a humanitarian crisis instead of seeing it as an issue of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Hasina said she had a very fruitful discussion with the Turkish Prime Minister on bilateral and international issues of common interests.

"We've reiterated our commitment to work closely and support each other on bilateral and international issues of mutual concern, including the issue of forcibly displaced Rohingya people from Myanmar," she said.

They talked about consolidating cooperation in key areas, such as, trade and investment, defence, education, tourism and connectivity.

Earlier, Bangladesh and Turkey signed two bilateral documents to enhance cooperation in the areas of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and maintain the standards of products.

The documents are Memorandum of Understanding between Small and Medium Enterprise Foundation, Bangladesh and Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization, and another MoU between Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and Turkish Standards Institution (TSI).

The instruments cover areas such as Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), industrial production, standardisation, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and skill development.

The signing ceremony was held after the official talks between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim at the Prime Minister's Office.

These instruments cover areas such as SME, industrial production, standardisation, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and skill development.

The two countries agreed to continue to work together for socioeconomic development and mutual interests of the two nations. "We hope to have Turkey by our side in the course of our journey towards development," Hasina said.

She thanked the Turkish Prime Minister for his visit, especially his plan to visit Rohingya camps on Wednesday.

Supporting Bangladesh's 2021 target, the Turkish Prime Minister said they discussed how they can contribute to Bangladesh in fulfilling the 2021 goals.

He expressed gratitude to his Bangladesh counterpart and people for their support to Turkish government and democracy.


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