Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh’s potential sectors for the mutual benefits of the two brotherly countries, reports UNB. “Our government has ensured an investment-friendly atmosphere in the country by offering various facilities to the investors. So, Turkish entrepreneurs could exploit the opportunity by making investment in Bangladesh’s different potential sectors in a larger volume,” she said. The Prime Minister came up with the request when outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Hurseyin Muftuoglu paid a courtesy call on her at her office here in the morning. After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters. Laying emphasis on further boosting the bilateral trade and commerce, the Prime Minister said the Turkish businessmen may come forward for establishing joint ventures in shipbuilding, heavy machinery, construction, electronic appliances, textile, RMG, jute products, petro-chemical products and energy sectors in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina expressed satisfaction over the cordial and close ties between the two brotherly countries with shared history, faith, culture and values. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the extensive level of defence cooperation between the two countries. She underscored the need for regular consultations and meetings at different levels like the Foreign Office Consultation and the Joint Economic Cooperation to augment the bilateral ties. Sheikh Hasina was also happy that the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency is supporting Bangladesh in the areas of technical and vocational education and community health clinics. The Prime Minister laid stress on further strengthening D (Developing)-8 group for intensifying cooperation between its member states. At the outset of the meeting, the Turkish envoy paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his 40th martyrdom anniversary. He also expressed her heartfelt condolences at the assassination of Bangabandhu and most of his family members on the black night of August 15 in 1975. In this connection, the Turkish envoy mentioned that he was born on January 23 in 1969, the day when the unparalleled leader of Bangalees Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was given the title ‘Bangabandhu’. He expressed satisfaction over the existing friendly relations between the two brotherly countries and hoped that the ties would further be consolidated under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. “Sincerely, Bangladesh is a true friend of Turkey and we’ll always stand by Bangladesh,” he said. The Turkish envoy highly praised Bangladesh’s impressive success on all socioeconomic fronts under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Bangladesh is now a different country and it is on the rise under the Prime Minister’s leadership,” he said. In this connection, Hurseyin Muftuoglu congratulated Bangladesh for becoming a lower middle-income country in the world. Mentioning that Bangladesh’s response to the D-8 grouping is positive, the envoy said, “We have good cooperation in fighting terrorism and we’re looking forward to intensifying the cooperation.” He also appreciated Bangladesh’s role in the UN Peacekeeping Missions and thanked the Bangladesh government for its support to Turkey in different international fora.
