Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir Monday stressed advancing negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Türkiye and strengthening cooperation in trade and investment.

The minister made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Şen at the Ministry of Industries this afternoon.

The two sides discussed the proposed FTA, business linkages in fruit imports and Bangladesh's participation in international trade conferences.

They also explored ways to tap Türkiye's experience and capacity in managing hazardous industrial waste, alongside expanding bilateral economic ties.

Reviewing progress on the start of FTA negotiations, the two sides expressed optimism about further strengthening trade and economic cooperation.

Muktadir expressed interest in holding a bilateral meeting with Türkiye's trade minister and meeting the country's investment agency during his upcoming visit to Türkiye.

Bangladesh sought contact details of Turkish fruit exporting organisations to boost business links in fruit imports. The two sides discussed channelling this information to relevant Bangladeshi traders through the Ministry of Commerce.

Management of hazardous waste from the electronics and ship-breaking industries also received emphasis at the meeting. The two sides discussed possible cooperation on treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs) in Türkiye for such waste.

Discussing the leather industry, the Turkish ambassador said leather processing and tannery operations in his country have declined due to environmental concerns, while the use of synthetic leather and imports of raw materials have increased.

The ambassador invited Bangladesh to attend the upcoming ministerial-level conference under the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), as well as the World Halal Industrial Summit and Halal Expo.

The Bangladesh side said the commerce minister will attend the main COMCEC conference, while other Bangladeshi representatives will join the subsequent events.