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Wednesday | November 04, 2026 | Dhaka

Dhaka urges swift execution of D-8 FTA, PTA

 Business Report
 Published: 12:01 AM, 04 November 2026

Bangladesh has called for the swift finalisation and implementation of the frameworks for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) among D-8 member states to unlock the bloc’s economic potential through expanded trade and investment.

The country also emphasised expanding mutual tariff concessions, removing trade barriers and undertaking institutional reforms and result-oriented activities to make the D-8 more effective.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir made the call during a bilateral meeting with D-8 Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood on the sidelines of the 42nd COMCEC Ministerial Session in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Monday, said a press release here on Tuesday

The meeting discussed ways to remove existing barriers to trade among member countries and strengthen mutual economic cooperation.

The two sides also discussed expanding tariff facilities and simplifying trade procedures to tap the economic potential of D-8 member states.

The Commerce Minister said increasing trade and investment among D-8 countries was particularly important in the current global economic context.

In this regard, he urged the D-8 Secretariat to play an active role in finalising and implementing the FTA and PTA frameworks at the earliest, while calling for stronger coordination among member states.

Muktadir also stressed the need to strengthen the institutional effectiveness of the D-8 through necessary reforms and result-oriented initiatives to make the organisation more meaningful and effective.

In response, D-8 Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood assured that Bangladesh’s proposals and interest in enhancing economic cooperation and intra-bloc trade would be considered positively.Senior officials from Bangladesh and the D-8 Secretariat were present at the meeting.