Bangladesh and Uzbekistan have explored the possibility of a free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment, as the two countries seek to expand economic ties and improve business connectivity.
The proposal was discussed when Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir met Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Aloyev Bakhromjon Juraboyevich in Baghdad on Sunday, on the sidelines of the 52nd Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers.
The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, improving air connectivity, promoting tourism, strengthening business-to-business contacts and supporting each other in multilateral forums, according to a press release issued by the Bangladesh foreign ministry.
A potential free trade agreement could provide a framework for expanding commercial exchanges between the two countries.
However, the discussions have yet to establish whether the proposal will lead to formal negotiations or a timeline for an agreement.
Improved air connectivity and stronger business-to-business engagement were also identified as areas for cooperation, reflecting the importance of facilitating travel, commercial exchanges and direct links between businesses.
Tourism was another area discussed, offering scope for closer people-to-people contacts and greater interaction between the two countries.
The meeting also addressed reciprocal support in multilateral forums, signalling an interest in strengthening diplomatic coordination alongside economic cooperation.
Kobir is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, which is being held in Baghdad from 17 to 18 October. He delivered Bangladesh’s statement during the plenary session on Saturday.
The discussions with Uzbekistan took place as part of Bangladesh’s diplomatic engagement on the margins of the ministerial gathering, providing an opportunity to explore areas of common interest with fellow OIC member states.
While the outcome of the meeting will depend on follow-up engagement, progress on trade facilitation, investment and connectivity could help translate the discussions into more substantive economic cooperation between Dhaka and Tashkent.