Bangladesh News Bangladesh - Turkey Relation

Secretary of Defence Industries of Türkiye Prof Haluk Gorgun met BAF chief and talked about technical assistance and ToT under defense cooperation.

Secretary of Defence Industries of Türkiye's Courtesy Call on with Chief of Army Staff
Dhaka, 08 July 2025 (Tuesday): Secretary of Defence Industries of Türkiye H. E. Prof. Haluk Gorgun paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff at Army Headquarters today.

During the meeting, along with an exchange of greetings, they discussed strengthening the existing defence cooperation between the two countries. H.E. Secretary assured extended cooperation and support for the development of the defence industry in Bangladesh. CAS expressed his desire in producing various modern military equipment and developing defence technologies in Bangladesh in close cooperation with Türkiye.



Bangladesh As part of the visit, we had the opportunity to observe our indigenous defense systems actively used by Bangladeshi authorities on-site. During our visit to the facility where TB2s are deployed, we received valuable first-hand feedback from the users.

The high recognition earned by Türkiye’s defense industry on the international stage reflects the strength of our engineering, reliability, and proven performance in the field. With a strong focus not only on exports but also on post-sales support and sustainable performance, we are steadily positioning our country among the most respected players in the global defense industry.

Bangladesh’s army chief on Tuesday called for close defense sector cooperation with Türkiye during a visit by the head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Haluk Görgün, to the South Asian country.

Görgün met with Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus and top military officials to further foster bilateral ties and defense cooperation.

The SSB head and his team called on Yunus at the State Guest House in the capital, Dhaka, and discussed issues of mutual interest, said a statement from Yunus' office.

Earlier, Görgün met Bangladesh military chief Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman as well as Bangladesh Navy chief Adm. Mohammad Nazmul Hassan.

During the meeting with the army chief, the two sides discussed strengthening existing defense cooperation between the two countries.

Görgün assured "cooperation and support" for defense industry development in Bangladesh, according to a statement by Zaman’s office.

The army chief expressed his desire to produce "various modern military equipment and develop defense technologies in Bangladesh in close cooperation with Türkiye," the statement said.

During the meeting with the naval head, the two sides addressed mutual experience-sharing in naval platforms, modern combat systems and defense technologies, according to a statement on Facebook by the Turkish Embassy in Bangladesh.

Constructive consultations were held on advancing cooperation to enhance regional maritime security, said the statement, adding that the "bridges of friendship stretching from the (Turkish) Blue Homeland to the Bay of Bengal are being further strengthened through visionary partnerships in the defense industry."

Görgün observed Türkiye’s "indigenous defense systems actively used by Bangladeshi authorities on-site," during his visit to the facility where TB2s are deployed, according to a statement on X.

The Turkish team "received valuable first-hand feedback from the users," he said.

"The high recognition earned by Türkiye’s defense industry on the international stage reflects the strength of our engineering, reliability, and proven performance in the field."

Türkiye, with a significant focus "not only on exports but also on post-sales support and sustainable performance," is "steadily positioning" itself among the "most respected players in the global defense industry," he added.

Dhaka | Bangladesh Navy Headquarters

Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Secretary of the Defence Industries, held a meeting with Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Bangladesh Navy.

The meeting addressed mutual experience sharing in naval platforms, modern combat systems, and defense technologies. Constructive consultations were held on advancing cooperation to enhance regional maritime security.

Bridges of friendship stretching from the Blue Homeland to the Bay of Bengal are being further strengthened through visionary partnerships in the defense industry.

As part of IDEF 2025, President Haluk Görgün met with the delegation from Bangladesh, Chief of Naval Staff Nazmul Hassan. The meeting focused on opportunities for joint development, technology transfer, and strategic cooperation in the defence sector. This engagement will further strengthen defence diplomacy between Türkiye and Bangladesh and pave the way for mutually beneficial collaborations.

Turkish Communication company Karel, which also has products for the defence industry, announced at the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) that a contract for the delivery of a military power plant for use by the Bangladesh Armed Forces was signed on 24 June 2025 between Karel and the Ministry of Defence of Bangladesh.

The Turkish company has previously delivered DS200T series hybrid PBX systems to various armed forces across the region, including those of Azerbaijan and Bangladesh. These military-grade communication systems are designed to withstand harsh operational environments and feature both analogue and E1 ports with integrated IP capabilities, ensuring reliable field communication.

In addition to land systems, the company also supplies naval communication solutions such as shipboard public address and general alarm (PAGA) systems based on PBX architecture, already in use by several navies.

For land platforms, its IKT intercom systems stand out with waterproof designs and robust environmental resistance, enabling integrated radio communication and command-control functionality in armoured vehicles.

Other products include the AG102 and Gateway models, which convert analogue and E1 lines to IP-based networks. These Radio over IP (ROIP) solutions support the simultaneous connection of up to four radios and fourteen analogue ports into secure digital infrastructure.

Karel also helps with major Turkish aerospace projects like the National Combat Aircraft (KAAN) and ATAK-II by making backup flight indicators, avionic control units, and countermeasure systems that work on airborne platforms.

Karel’s defence communication systems are part of larger plans that target South Asia and the Middle East. They are trusted suppliers of integrated military technology and export to more than 30 nations.

Bangladesh Delegation Visits SARSILMAZ! As part of an organization supported by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman, Commander of the Bangladesh Army Logistics, and the accompanying delegation, including the Director of the Bangladesh Army Command, the Defense Attaché of Bangladesh, and the Deputy General Manager of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF), visited our factory in Düzce.

During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to inspect our state-of-the-art production facilities on-site and received detailed information about our wide product range and capabilities in the defense industry.

This visit, which is a significant step in developing defense industry cooperation between the two countries, provided an opportunity to exchange views on potential collaborations. At SARSILMAZ, we continue to represent the strength of the Turkish defense industry on the international stage and enhance our collaborations.

Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd, located at Meghna Ghat in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, is set to export a 5,500-deadweight-ton (DWT) modern multipurpose vessel, "Wes Wire," to Turkey.

The vessel will be officially handed over tomorrow (7 September) to NOPAC Shipping & Trading Ltd, a renowned Turkish company, completing the export process.

The handover ceremony will be attended by Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser for the Ministry of Shipping as well as the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Also present will be Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser for the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, along with Ramiz Sen, the Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh.

According to company sources, the "Wes Wire" has been built with advanced design and international-standard technology. The vessel measures 341 feet in length, 55 feet in breadth and 25 feet in depth. It is powered by a 2,735-horsepower engine, enabling it to carry 5,500 tons of cargo at a speed of 12 knots per hour. The vessel is suitable for transporting a wide variety of cargo, including steel coils, coal, fertilisers, food grains and hazardous materials.

Earlier, in September 2022, the company exported a 6,100-DWT vessel to the UK-based Engian Shipping Company Ltd, which was one of the largest vessels exported from Bangladesh at the time.

Ananda Shipyard officials said the company has been playing a pioneering role in Bangladesh's shipbuilding industry. To date, they added, it has delivered over 350 vessels to both domestic and international clients. Bangladesh first emerged as an exporter of ocean-going vessels in 2008 when Ananda Shipyard exported the container ship "Stella Maris" to Denmark. Since then, vessels have been exported to Germany, Norway, Mozambique, the UK and other countries.

Spread over 900,000 square feet, Ananda Shipyard has the capacity to build eight vessels of up to 10,000 tons at a time, along with dredgers and technologically advanced vessels. With round-the-clock operations, the shipyard has set an important benchmark in Bangladesh's shipbuilding sector, officials said.

Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd Chairman Abdullahhel Bari said, "After 2022, we have resumed vessel exports. The vessel now going to Turkey is the largest and most technologically advanced one we have sent there so far."

He continued, "As per international practice, around 85% of a vessel's financing comes through bank guarantees. However, the remaining 15%—equivalent to Tk25–30 crore ($2.5–3 million)—has to be arranged from our own funds. Raising such a huge amount is difficult since banks are often reluctant to provide it. As a result, working capital remains tied up during production, causing delays."

He added, "Although the country's shipbuilding sector has enormous potential, the lack of long-term and low-interest financing is preventing the industry from growing at the desired pace."

Earlier, in July this year, Western Marine Shipyard, based in Chattogram, announced the export of two tugboats to the United Arab Emirates. The 80-ton bollard pull ASD tug "Gaya" and the 65-ton bollard pull AHT tug "Khalid" earned the company $1.6 million in export revenue.

Isa Khan said:

Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd, located at Meghna Ghat in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, is set to export a 5,500-deadweight-ton (DWT) modern multipurpose vessel, "Wes Wire," to Turkey.

The vessel will be officially handed over tomorrow (7 September) to NOPAC Shipping & Trading Ltd, a renowned Turkish company, completing the export process.

The handover ceremony will be attended by Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser for the Ministry of Shipping as well as the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Also present will be Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser for the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, along with Ramiz Sen, the Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh.

According to company sources, the "Wes Wire" has been built with advanced design and international-standard technology. The vessel measures 341 feet in length, 55 feet in breadth and 25 feet in depth. It is powered by a 2,735-horsepower engine, enabling it to carry 5,500 tons of cargo at a speed of 12 knots per hour. The vessel is suitable for transporting a wide variety of cargo, including steel coils, coal, fertilisers, food grains and hazardous materials.

Earlier, in September 2022, the company exported a 6,100-DWT vessel to the UK-based Engian Shipping Company Ltd, which was one of the largest vessels exported from Bangladesh at the time.

Ananda Shipyard officials said the company has been playing a pioneering role in Bangladesh's shipbuilding industry. To date, they added, it has delivered over 350 vessels to both domestic and international clients. Bangladesh first emerged as an exporter of ocean-going vessels in 2008 when Ananda Shipyard exported the container ship "Stella Maris" to Denmark. Since then, vessels have been exported to Germany, Norway, Mozambique, the UK and other countries.

Spread over 900,000 square feet, Ananda Shipyard has the capacity to build eight vessels of up to 10,000 tons at a time, along with dredgers and technologically advanced vessels. With round-the-clock operations, the shipyard has set an important benchmark in Bangladesh's shipbuilding sector, officials said.

Ananda Shipyard & Slipways Ltd Chairman Abdullahhel Bari said, "After 2022, we have resumed vessel exports. The vessel now going to Turkey is the largest and most technologically advanced one we have sent there so far."

He continued, "As per international practice, around 85% of a vessel's financing comes through bank guarantees. However, the remaining 15%—equivalent to Tk25–30 crore ($2.5–3 million)—has to be arranged from our own funds. Raising such a huge amount is difficult since banks are often reluctant to provide it. As a result, working capital remains tied up during production, causing delays."

He added, "Although the country's shipbuilding sector has enormous potential, the lack of long-term and low-interest financing is preventing the industry from growing at the desired pace."

Earlier, in July this year, Western Marine Shipyard, based in Chattogram, announced the export of two tugboats to the United Arab Emirates. The 80-ton bollard pull ASD tug "Gaya" and the 65-ton bollard pull AHT tug "Khalid" earned the company $1.6 million in export revenue.

Ananda Shipyard resumes exports with 5,500-DWT vessel for Turkey

Ananda Shipyard exported a 6,100-DWT vessel to UK in 2022.

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From high-rise offices in Dhaka to the ports of Chattogram, Bangladesh is rolling out the welcome mat for investors, and Turkish companies are paying close attention. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chair of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), says the South Asian nation is no longer just a low-cost manufacturing hub but a strategic destination for trade, technology and defense collaboration.

Currently on an official visit to Türkiye, Ashik spoke to Daily Sabah in an interview, in which he outlined a sweeping agenda of reforms, digital innovations and partnerships aimed at turning Bangladesh into one of Asia’s fastest-growing investment hotspots.

“An investment-friendly environment is built,” he said, citing a road map of 32 reform initiatives designed to improve ease of doing business, streamline approvals, and strengthen investor protections.

Bangladesh’s current interim government, led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus after a massive student-led uprising in 2024, has ushered in a rare window for rapid reforms, Ashik said.

Key reforms include the digitalization of permits and work visas, the establishment of an Investor Relationship Management team at BIDA, and the modernization of ports and customs. Financial measures such as simplified profit repatriation and bond license reforms have already won praise from Turkish investors, including Arçelik-owned Singer Bangladesh.

Fundamentals, strategy​

Bangladesh’s economic growth has remained resilient despite political change, with GDP growth averaging 6%-7% and remittances rising 21% last year. The country is now South Asia’s second-largest economy, with 170 million people – half under 30 – representing both a dynamic workforce and a fast-growing consumer market.

“Investors see Bangladesh as a land of opportunity,” Ashik said. “Its strategic location between South and Southeast Asia gives access to over three billion consumers through emerging ports and transport corridors. Recent reforms have helped FDI inflows jump 76% this year.”

With a diversified FDI strategy targeting 19 high-potential sectors, Bangladesh has positioned itself as a regional hub for logistics, energy, manufacturing, and technology. The government’s commitment to continuity, transparency, and stakeholder engagement ensures that these reforms will outlast the interim administration.

Infrastructure, challenges​

While acknowledging historic infrastructure gaps, Ashik said the government is taking decisive action. LNG imports are increasing, offshore exploration continues, and a new Power and Energy Sector Master Plan is set to integrate renewable energy and strengthen the national grid. Port reforms and the development of new terminals, including Matarbari deep-sea port, are set to double container-handling capacity by 2030.

The BIDA chairperson highlighted that bureaucratic hurdles are being tackled through digitalization, process automation, and centralized investor services. “Our goal is to replace an opaque, discretionary system with a transparent, rules-based one,” Ashik said.

Bangladesh-Türkiye cooperation​

Ashik said Türkiye’s expanding defense and technology sectors present opportunities for co-investment and technology transfer. Bangladesh seeks collaboration in small-scale defense products such as communications systems and precision parts, potentially via a dedicated military economic zone.

The partnership extends to agriculture and food processing, with Bangladesh offering fertile land, year-round cultivation, and an expanding processed food market. Turkish expertise in agro-technology, cold chains, and value-added food manufacturing complements Bangladesh’s low-cost production and strategic market access.

Ashik said that health care, IT and BPO sectors also offer fertile ground for Turkish investment. Bangladesh spends $5 billion annually on medical treatment abroad, highlighting opportunities in hospitals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and digital health. Meanwhile, a growing digital workforce combined with policy support, hi-tech parks and tax incentives makes the IT and startup ecosystem attractive for Turkish and other foreign investors.

Trade growth, investments​

Bangladesh-Türkiye trade has steadily grown, surpassing $1 billion in 2024, with Turkish FDI, though modest at $220 million, gaining momentum. Landmark investments include Coca-Cola Içecek’s acquisition of International Beverages Private Limited and Aygaz United LPG Ltd.’s expansion in Chattogram. Upcoming engagements, including the Bangladesh-Türkiye Investment Seminar in Istanbul, aim to fast-track investment dialogues in textiles, retail, power, renewables, processed foods, ICT, logistics, construction, FMCG, health care and consumer electronics.

Diaspora engagement​

Ashik emphasized that domestic investment remains vital, noting over $10 billion in new commitments. Local industrial ecosystems in garments, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and agribusiness create opportunities for foreign investors entering joint ventures, he said.

Bangladesh also views its nearly 7.5 million-strong migrant community as a strategic investment constituency. Initiatives like NRB Connect Day and the “Shubheccha” digital platform aim to channel diaspora remittances into productive investments.

As Bangladesh nears graduation from least-developed country status, the focus is on export diversification, competitiveness and strengthening institutions to support sustainable investment. “The lesson is clear,” Ashik said. “Bangladesh is attracting both large-scale investors and niche entrants, and those who come early in sectors like energy, consumer goods, or specialized manufacturing are best positioned to benefit from a dynamic, diversifying market.”

With Türkiye emerging as a strategic partner across defense, agriculture, health care and technology, and with comprehensive domestic and foreign investment initiatives in place, Bangladesh is signaling that its doors are wide open, and Turkish investors are among the first to notice.

After years of polite but distant diplomacy, Bangladesh and Turkey are suddenly rediscovering each other—this time, with purpose and precision.

Since the political transition in Dhaka, bilateral ties have shifted gears dramatically, gaining new life through high-level visits, strategic discussions, and a bold new vision: to move beyond rhetoric and build a defense and development partnership anchored in trust, trade, and technology.

From dialogue to deals: A defense framework in the making

For years, the two countries have signed small defense-related memorandums of understanding. Now, they’re preparing to gather those fragments under a single roof.

According to diplomatic sources, preparations for a landmark “Defense Framework for Cooperation” are nearly complete. The draft has already been finalized and sent to Ankara, and the issue will take center stage during Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman’s visit to Turkey in November.

The proposed framework would pave the way for joint production, training, and technology exchange—potentially transforming Bangladesh from a defense buyer into a defense partner.

Turkey’s head of Defense Industries, Haluk Görgün, who visited Dhaka in July, pledged support for Bangladesh’s growing defense industry, including technical and strategic assistance for the modernisation of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF).

A senior Bangladeshi official hinted that a joint production plan with Turkish participation is already being discussed:

“Our goal isn’t just to buy weapons—it’s to build capacity. If we can produce locally, even export someday, that would be a breakthrough.”

Turkey, a NATO member and one of the world’s top 15 arms exporters, offers high-quality systems with strong after-sales support—a combination that Bangladeshi officials say gives Ankara an edge over traditional partners like China.