Bangladesh, Tajikistan sign FOC MoU to deepen ties

Bangladesh and Tajikistan on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) to institutionalise a regular consultation mechanism, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across political, economic and regional cooperation.

The MoU was signed before the first-ever Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries held in the capital.

Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam and Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Idibek Kalandar led their respective delegations at the consultations.

The two sides attached high importance to recalibrating and expanding bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen political engagement through reciprocal visits by the foreign ministers.

They also discussed the formation of a Bangladesh-Tajikistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to promote regular interaction between lawmakers of the two countries.

On trade, investment and economic cooperation, both sides agreed to encourage greater private sector engagement and exchanges of business delegations to unlock the untapped economic potential between the two countries.

Bangladesh highlighted its global leadership in key manufacturing sectors, including ready-made garments (RMG), jute and jute products and pharmaceuticals, and invited Tajik investors to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh's Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Dhaka also proposed the establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade and Economic Cooperation, signing of a memorandum of understanding between the apex chambers of commerce of the two countries and an exploratory visit by a Tajik business delegation.

The discussions also focused on cooperation in mineral resources, with Bangladesh expressing interest in benefiting from Tajikistan's expertise and reserves of gold, aluminium, zinc, copper, lead and silver.

The two countries also explored ways to strengthen people-to-people contacts through cooperation in education, sports, tourism and culture, as well as exchanges of students, youth and cultural troupes.

Bangladesh also expressed interest in expanding employment opportunities for its highly skilled and semi-skilled workforce in Tajikistan.

The delegations agreed to expedite negotiations on several bilateral instruments covering trade and economic cooperation, cultural cooperation, visa waiver arrangements for diplomatic and official passport holders, tourism promotion, avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investments and industrial cooperation.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing coordination and mutual support at regional and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Bangladesh thanked Tajikistan for supporting its candidature for the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, recognising the strategic importance of greater connectivity between South and Central Asia in promoting regional stability and economic cooperation.

Describing the inaugural consultations as a milestone in bilateral relations, the two delegations agreed that the meeting had laid a solid foundation for future engagements and decided to hold the second round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dushanbe at a mutually convenient date.

On the sidelines of the consultations, Bangladesh and Tajikistan also signed a separate MoU between their diplomatic training institutes.

The agreement was signed by Foreign Service Academy Rector Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith and Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Idibek Kalandar.