BD, Kosovo move to deepen ties through trade
Bangladesh and Kosovo have agreed to inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations by expanding trade and investment, exploring a free trade agreement and creating new avenues for labour mobility.
The two countries discussed the initiatives during their second Foreign Office Consultations, held in Prishtina on 13 August.
The talks reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with both sides expressing satisfaction over progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties and stressing the need to translate political goodwill into stronger economic and institutional cooperation.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr M Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral-East & West) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Kosovo side was headed by Ilir Muçaj, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendly relations based on mutual respect, shared values, common interests and international law. Economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with the two countries identifying significant untapped potential in trade, investment, education, agriculture, information and communication technology, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The economic agenda was further discussed during a separate meeting between the Bangladesh delegation and Kosovo’s Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation, Mimoza Kusari-Lila.
Bangladesh urged Kosovo to increase imports of ready-made garments, jute and jute products, ceramics and pharmaceuticals, while inviting Kosovan investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zones.
The two sides also discussed forming a Joint Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation and agreed to encourage greater private-sector engagement and exchanges of business delegations.
They also explored stronger institutional links between the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce, as well as the possibility of Bangladeshi companies establishing production facilities in Kosovo.
Kusari-Lila highlighted Kosovo’s investment environment, citing its proximity to the European Union market, fiscal policies, competitive workforce and access to European markets through CEFTA and EFTA.
She also said Bangladesh could benefit from regional connectivity among the Western Balkan countries.
The two countries discussed initiating a process towards a bilateral free trade agreement, which they believe could create new opportunities for trade and investment.
Such an arrangement could help Bangladesh expand its commercial presence in the Western Balkans while giving Kosovo greater access to Bangladeshi products and business opportunities.
Labour mobility was another key area of discussion.
Recognising Kosovo’s growing demand for workers, the two sides agreed to explore a structured framework for recruiting and employing Bangladeshi workers.
They also agreed to examine possible government-to-government mechanisms to ensure transparent, orderly and mutually beneficial labour migration.
The consultations also covered wider diplomatic and multilateral issues.
Kosovo expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations and thanked Bangladeshi peacekeepers who served in Kosovo.
Bangladesh welcomed Kosovo’s growing participation in international and regional organisations and expressed support for its continued integration into international organisations, conventions and multilateral mechanisms as an equal participant.
On the Rohingya crisis, Kosovo praised Bangladesh’s humanitarian response and supported Dhaka’s efforts to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingya people to Rakhine State in Myanmar.
Kosovo also stressed the importance of sustained international engagement in finding a durable solution to the crisis.
Both countries reaffirmed their opposition to terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime, while underscoring their commitment to peace, stability and international security.
Bangladesh and Kosovo agreed to hold their third Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka in 2027.
The latest round of talks reflected efforts by both countries to move bilateral relations beyond diplomatic engagement towards more concrete cooperation in trade, investment, labour, technology and multilateral affairs.
