Dhaka, Ashgabat seek wide ties, eye coop on energy security
Bangladesh and Turkmenistan have agreed to deepen bilateral relations, with Ashgabat expressing strong interest in supporting Dhaka’s energy security and the two sides identifying new areas of trade, investment and economic cooperation.
The matter came at the political consultations between the two countries held in Ashgabat on 15 August, where the delegations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed ways to tap the “huge, untapped potential” between Bangladesh and Turkmenistan.
Bangladesh’s Secretary for Bilateral (East and West), Ambassador Dr M Nazrul Islam, and Turkmenistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov led their respective delegations, Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
Energy security emerged as a key area of potential cooperation. Turkmenistan, which has one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves and substantial oil resources, expressed its interest in supporting Bangladesh in meeting its energy needs.
The two sides also explored cooperation in agriculture, with Turkmenistan offering to supply fertilisers to Bangladesh.
Trade and investment were given high priority, with both sides agreeing to work towards expanding economic ties.
Bangladesh highlighted its global leadership in ready-made garments, while Turkmenistan’s strong position in cotton production was identified as a basis for partnership in the textile and apparel sector.
Turkmenistan also expressed interest in Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, particularly in view of the country’s modern production facilities and expertise.
Bangladesh requested Turkmenistan to import jute and jute products, ceramics, light engineering products and semiconductors from Bangladesh. The two sides also discussed potential cooperation in petrochemicals and semiconductors.
To provide a structured framework for future cooperation, the two countries agreed to work on a tentative Programme of Action for 2027-2029, under which they plan to conclude several bilateral instruments.
The proposed areas include trade and economic cooperation, cultural cooperation, visa waiver arrangements for diplomatic and official passport holders, tourism promotion, avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investments, industrial cooperation and cooperation between foreign service academies.
The two sides also agreed to encourage greater interaction between private-sector representatives and chambers of commerce to realise the untapped economic potential. Bangladesh invited Turkmen investors to explore investment opportunities in its Special Economic Zones, while both sides discussed the possible establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
They also stressed the importance of strengthening political ties through reciprocal high-level visits and proposed exploring the formation of a Bangladesh-Turkmenistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to facilitate regular interaction between parliamentarians.
People-to-people connectivity also featured prominently in the discussions, with the two sides looking at expanded cooperation in culture, education and sports, including exchanges of students, young people, tourists and cultural groups.
Bangladesh and Turkmenistan also discussed employment opportunities for Bangladeshi highly skilled and semi-skilled workers in Turkmenistan.
On regional and international issues, the two countries agreed to strengthen coordination and support each other at international forums, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Bangladesh expressed gratitude to Turkmenistan for supporting its candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Turkmenistan, in turn, expressed support for Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue.
The delegations underscored the importance of holding regular political consultations to maintain momentum in bilateral engagement and agreed to hold the next round of consultations in Dhaka at a mutually convenient time.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey M Amanul Haq, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ East Europe and CIS wing S M Mahbubul Alam, and Director of Turkmenistan’s Asia-Pacific Department Gurbandurdy Saparov were, among others, present at the meeting.
