Turkmenistan offers energy support as Dhaka deepens ties

The interest was conveyed during political consultations between Bangladesh and Turkmenistan held in Ashgabat on Saturday, according to a foreign ministry press release received here today.

Ambassador Dr M Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral-East and West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Turkmenistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov led their respective delegations at the consultations.

The two sides identified significant untapped potential in bilateral relations and discussed the entire gamut of cooperation, attaching high priority to expanding trade, investment and economic ties.

Turkmenistan, which possesses one of the world's largest natural gas reserves as well as substantial oil resources, expressed keen interest in supporting Bangladesh in strengthening its energy security.

The two sides also discussed possible cooperation in petrochemicals, agriculture and fertiliser, with Turkmenistan offering to supply fertilisers to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, requested Turkmenistan to import more Bangladeshi products, including jute and jute goods, ceramics, light engineering products and semiconductors.

Noting Bangladesh's global position in the readymade garment (RMG) sector and Turkmenistan's strength as a cotton producer, the two sides identified opportunities for collaboration and partnership in the textile and apparel value chain.

Turkmenistan also showed interest in cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, considering Bangladesh's modern manufacturing facilities and expertise.

The two countries agreed to work on a proposed "Programme of Action: 2027-2029" aimed at concluding several bilateral instruments covering trade and economic cooperation, culture, tourism, visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders, avoidance of double taxation, investment promotion and protection, industrial cooperation and collaboration between their foreign service academies.

Under the proposed programme, the two sides agreed to encourage greater interaction between their private sectors and chambers of commerce to tap the existing economic potential.

Bangladesh invited Turkmen investors to explore investment opportunities in the country's special economic zones, while the two sides discussed forming a Joint Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

They also stressed the importance of reciprocal high-level visits and discussed the possibility of forming a Bangladesh-Turkmenistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to facilitate regular exchanges among lawmakers.

The two sides agreed to promote greater people-to-people connectivity through cooperation in culture, education and sports as well as exchanges involving students, youths, tourists and cultural troupes.

Bangladesh also explored employment opportunities in Turkmenistan for its highly skilled and semi-skilled workforce.

On regional and global issues, Dhaka and Ashgabat agreed to strengthen coordination and support each other at international forums, including the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Bangladesh thanked Turkmenistan for supporting its candidature for the presidency of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), while Turkmenistan reiterated its support for Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue.

During a separate meeting the same day, the Bangladesh delegation led by Nazrul Islam called on Turkmenistan's Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.

Meredov congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as President of the 81st Session of the UNGA and invited him to visit Turkmenistan at his earliest convenience.

He also expressed readiness to visit Bangladesh in the near future and underscored the importance of exchanges of high-level visits, including at the highest political level, to strengthen bilateral relations.

The Turkmen foreign minister and the Bangladesh delegation stressed the need for pragmatic and result-oriented bilateral initiatives and discussed the proposed 2027-2029 action plan to advance cooperation in trade, investment, energy, food and climate security.

They also highlighted cooperation in education, culture and sports and exchanges among students, youths, researchers, academics, tourists and cultural groups.

Both countries agreed that regular consultations would be important for advancing cooperation and decided to hold the next round of political consultations in Dhaka at a mutually convenient time.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Türkiye M Amanul Haq, Director General (East Europe and CIS) at the foreign ministry S M Mahbubul Alam and Turkmenistan's Director of the Asia-Pacific Department Gurbandurdy Saparov, among others, attended the meetings, reports BSS.