Published: 12:51 AM, 09 July 2026
Bangladesh-Tajikistan set sights on stronger economic ties
Bangladesh and Tajikistan have expressed strong interest in expanding bilateral trade and investment through enhanced private sector engagement, improved connectivity and closer institutional cooperation.
The commitment was reiterated during a bilateral meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Idibek Kalandar and the leadership of the CIS-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CIS-BCCI), led by its President Jadab Debnath, at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the city on Monday. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation, with both sides exchanging views on expanding business opportunities and fostering closer commercial ties between the two countries.
The Tajik delegation expressed keen interest in increasing imports from Bangladesh, promoting joint ventures and facilitating greater business-to-business cooperation and investment.
Speaking at the meeting, Jadab Debnath said the chamber is committed to expanding trade and investment relations with Tajikistan, particularly in the sectors of tourism, pharmaceuticals, jute and jute products, hospitality, energy, cotton and agro-processed products. To facilitate greater trade, CIS-BCCI proposed the introduction of a simplified e-Visa facility for Bangladeshi businesspeople, enhanced banking connectivity through branches or representative offices of Tajik banks in Bangladesh, and direct air connectivity between the two countries to boost trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Both sides also agreed in principle to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CIS-BCCI and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan to strengthen institutional cooperation, facilitate business delegations, exchange trade information and promote bilateral trade and investment.
During the talks, Bangladesh and Tajikistan agreed to conclude bilateral instruments at the earliest on trade and economic cooperation, tourism promotion, cultural cooperation, visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders, avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investments, and cooperation in the industrial sector.
The two countries also discussed ways to boost bilateral trade and investment by increasing private sector engagement and exchanges of business delegations. Bangladesh highlighted its strengths in the ready-made garment, jute, and pharmaceutical industries and invited Tajik investors to explore investment opportunities in the country's Special Economic Zones.
Dhaka also proposed establishing a Joint Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation and signing an MoU between the apex business chambers of the two countries while inviting an exploratory mission of Tajik private sector representatives.
The delegations explored potential cooperation in mineral resources, with Bangladesh expressing interest in benefiting from Tajikistan's reserves and expertise in gold, aluminum, zinc, copper, lead, and silver.
Both sides also emphasized expanding people-to-people contacts through greater cooperation in education, sports, tourism, and cultural exchanges, alongside creating employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi professionals in Tajikistan.
On the political front, the two countries pledged to strengthen bilateral relations through reciprocal visits by foreign ministers and discussed forming a Bangladesh-Tajikistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to enhance parliamentary exchanges.
Bangladesh and Tajikistan also agreed to deepen cooperation at regional and international forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Bangladesh thanked Tajikistan for supporting its candidacy for the Presidency of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding economic cooperation and creating new opportunities for the business communities of Bangladesh and Tajikistan.
Among others, Bangladesh Ambassador to Tajikistan Mohammad Monirul Islam, Director General (East Europe and CIS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs S.M. Mahbubul Alam, senior officials from the Tajik Foreign Ministry and members of the CIS-BCCI Board of Directors attended the meeting.
