TEHRAN – Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Abbas Aliabadi has stressed the need to enhance trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Bangladesh using the two countries current capacities.

“The two countries have high capacities and potentials to promote bilateral ties in the fields of trade and economy,” Aliabadi said in a meeting with State Minister of Bangladesh Ahasanul Islam Titu.

As Mehr News Agency reported, in this meeting Aliabadi underlined Iran’s capabilities in various fields including agriculture, foodstuff, tourism, pharmaceutical and medical industries, sports, etc.

 He also added that Iran is a top producer of various types of construction materials and equipment in the region and the country can export such materials to Bangladesh as well.

Regarding the economic capacities of Bangladesh, Aliabadi said, “According to the historical documents, Iran has always had deep cultural, scientific and commercial relations with the Indian subcontinent and Bangladesh, and active membership of the two countries in the international forums, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a solid evidence for this claim.”

The Bangladeshi state minister, for his turn, introduced Iran as a country with high trade and economic potentials, stating that Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In April 2023, late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi urged the growth of commercial and trade links with Bangladesh while reiterating his administration’s commitment to fostering connections with other Muslim nations.

In a phone conversation with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Raisi stated that Iran’s foreign policy is built on bolstering ties with all nations, particularly those in the Islamic world.

He also expressed optimism for strong ties between Bangladesh and Iran, particularly for the advancement of economic and commercial cooperation.A

Sheikh Hasina, for her part, stressed the need for improving connections with Iran, particularly in the commercial and economic spheres, as well as regional cooperation.

EF/MA