Bangladesh, Thailand Join Forces to Boost Trade Ties

Bangladesh, Thailand Join Forces to Boost Trade Ties

The Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) and Thailand’s International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in trade and development between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in Bangkok on Thursday by Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to UN ESCAP, and Suphakit Charoenkul, Executive Director of ITD.

Under the MoU, BFTI and ITD will collaborate in areas including education, research, training, human resource development, and policy analysis. Joint activities will include organizing seminars, workshops, training sessions, and exchanging academic and policy knowledge.

Faiyaz Murshid Kazi expressed hope that the partnership will accelerate the feasibility study for a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Thailand and suggested a review seminar involving business representatives and stakeholders.

Dr. Saif Uddin Ahmed, Acting CEO of BFTI, who attended virtually, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, noting that it will strengthen Bangladesh’s commercial and institutional capacity as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

Dr. Ahmed emphasized that the MoU will create opportunities for joint research, knowledge exchange, training, and innovation, benefiting both nations and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Suphakit Charoenkul added that the partnership aims to foster closer cooperation in trade, investment, skill development, and policy research, ensuring trade remains a key driver for sustainable and inclusive growth.