Dhaka, Ankara set to deepen economic and strategic partnership

Türkiye expects Bangladesh and Türkiye to enter a new phase of closer political, economic and strategic cooperation under the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with stronger engagement in trade, investment, defence, energy and people-to-people ties, according to Türkiye’s Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Prof Dr Hamit Ersoy.

In a recent interview with a group of journalists in the capital, Prof Ersoy said the political developments in Bangladesh had created an opportunity to inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations, while stressing that the partnership rested on deep historical friendship rather than changes in government.

“I view the future of Bangladesh–Türkiye relations with considerable optimism. The formation of the new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman opens a new chapter for Bangladesh, and I believe it also presents a valuable opportunity to give fresh momentum to the already strong relations between Dhaka and Ankara,” he said.

He added that the relationship was “not dependent on a single government, political party or temporary development” but was founded on “deep rooted friendship, strong people to people bonds, historical affinities and a broad sense of solidarity”, which had increasingly acquired a strategic dimension. Prof Ersoy said the recent visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Bangladesh on 5 and 6 June this year demonstrated the importance both governments attached to bilateral ties.
During the visit, the two sides discussed political and economic cooperation, defence collaboration, regional affairs and the Rohingya issue, while the Turkish foreign minister also met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and visited Cox’s Bazar.

He said the visit signalled continuity and forward momentum in relations soon after the formation of Bangladesh’s new government.

“I therefore expect the coming period to be one of intensified political dialogue,” he said, adding that carefully prepared high level visits provide political direction, accelerate pending agreements and encourage ministries, businesses and institutions to deepen cooperation.

Prof Ersoy said he expected further exchanges between senior leaders of the two countries as the current political momentum created a favourable environment for such visits.

He said the next phase of bilateral relations should focus on greater institutionalisation and diversification, extending cooperation beyond political goodwill to trade, investment, defence industries, infrastructure, energy, health, education, technology, connectivity and cultural exchanges.

Highlighting economic cooperation as a priority, Prof Ersoy said both countries possessed large populations, vibrant private sectors and complementary economic strengths.

He recalled that both governments had set a target of increasing bilateral trade from about US$1.3 billion to US$2 billion, but argued that this should only be regarded as an intermediate milestone.”The real objective should be to create a deeper economic partnership based not only on trade in goods, but also on joint investment, industrial cooperation, technology transfer and partnerships between Turkish and Bangladeshi companies,” he said.

On defence cooperation, the ambassador said Türkiye’s internationally competitive defence industry and Bangladesh’s military modernisation programme offered significant opportunities for collaboration.

He stressed that future defence cooperation should not be confined to the purchase of military equipment.
“The more ambitious objective should be to develop a long term, mutually beneficial and increasingly institutionalised defence partnership,” he said.

Prof Ersoy said Türkiye could cooperate with Bangladesh in technology transfer, licensed production, joint ventures, local assembly, maintenance facilities, engineer training and defence industrial development.

He referred to the July 2025 visit of Türkiye’s Defence Industries Secretariat chief, Professor Dr Haluk Görgün, to Bangladesh, saying the discussions reflected both countries’ growing interest in industrial and technological cooperation rather than simple procurement contracts.

The ambassador also highlighted opportunities for expanded military education, officer exchanges, joint training, naval cooperation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and disaster management.

He emphasised that defence ties should strengthen Bangladesh’s strategic autonomy rather than draw it into geopolitical rivalries.

“Our cooperation should not be understood as being directed against any third country,” he said. “Türkiye can contribute to the diversification of Bangladesh’s defence relationships and thereby strengthen its freedom of decision making.”

On the global energy situation, Prof Ersoy said the conflicts in the Middle East had reinforced the importance of energy security for countries dependent on imported fuel, including Bangladesh.
He said Türkiye’s experience in diversifying energy sources and supply routes, expanding renewable energy and developing gas infrastructure could provide useful lessons.

He identified renewable energy, energy efficiency, engineering partnerships, knowledge exchange, climate resilient infrastructure and clean energy financing as promising areas for future cooperation.

Regarding investment, Prof Ersoy acknowledged that declining foreign direct investment in Bangladesh during 2024 and 2025 had made international investors more cautious.

Nevertheless, he said Turkish businesses continued to view Bangladesh as an attractive long term destination because of its large domestic market, youthful workforce and dynamic private sector.
He said Turkish investors closely monitored policy consistency, exchange rate stability, access to foreign currency, regulatory predictability, customs procedures and infrastructure before making investment decisions.

He identified textiles, ready made garments, construction, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, food processing, logistics, tourism, information technology, shipbuilding and defence industries as sectors offering strong potential for Turkish investment and joint ventures.Looking ahead, Prof Ersoy expressed confidence that improved macroeconomic stability and a more predictable business environment would attract greater Turkish investment.
He said Türkiye would continue promoting business delegations, investment forums and closer cooperation between chambers of commerce and investment agencies in both countries.

On the Rohingya crisis, the ambassador reaffirmed Türkiye’s continued solidarity with Bangladesh, describing the issue as an important humanitarian dimension of bilateral relations.

He noted that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had visited Cox’s Bazar to observe Turkish humanitarian activities and the Türkiye–Bangladesh humanitarian hospital during his June visit.

Prof Ersoy also stressed the importance of strengthening exchanges among universities, academics, students, think tanks, journalists, business leaders and cultural institutions, saying lasting friendship ultimately depended on people rather than governments.
He said the evolving international order also created greater incentives for Bangladesh and Türkiye to deepen cooperation as influential middle powers.
“We are witnessing the emergence of a more complex and increasingly multipolar international order.

Countries such as Türkiye and Bangladesh therefore have strong reasons to diversify their international partnerships while preserving their strategic autonomy,” he said.

Calling for a more ambitious vision, Prof Ersoy said the objective should be to transform the traditionally warm relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“Our objective should be to transform a traditionally warm friendship into a comprehensive, multidimensional and long term strategic partnership. I believe both countries have the political will, the economic potential and, most importantly, the mutual trust necessary to achieve this,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the future of bilateral ties, the ambassador concluded: “The new political chapter in Bangladesh can therefore also become a new chapter in Bangladesh–Türkiye relations.

I sincerely hope that the coming years will see Dhaka and Ankara working even more closely, not only for the benefit of our two peoples, but also in support of peace, stability, development and a more representative international order.”