Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey had a high-level meeting in New York on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, where they discussed ways to expand trade, investment and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.
Where and When the Meeting Was Held
The bilateral meeting was held at the Turkish House at 821 United Nations Plaza, near UN Headquarters, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Rahman arrived in New York on September 21 on a Turkish Airlines flight with a stopover in Istanbul, and the Erdoğan meeting was part of a busy schedule of bilateral meetings during his visit.
What was talked about
Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque said the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest with special emphasis on expanding cooperation in the economy, trade and investment sectors. The two sides also exchanged views on important regional and international issues, highlighting the necessity of continued close cooperation and coordination between Bangladesh and Türkiye.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening what officials on both sides call a “historic and friendly” relationship and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation based on shared priorities and mutual interests.
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Part of a Bigger Strategy Push
The New York meeting follows months of stepped-up engagement between the two countries. In June 2026, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Dhaka, with Bangladesh and Türkiye agreeing to hold annual Foreign Office Consultations at the ministerial level, and 2+2 talks with the foreign and defence ministers. During that visit, Rahman had asked Erdoğan to visit Bangladesh, an invitation which is still open. Trade officials from both countries have also discussed the possibility of a free trade arrangement, and Türkiye’s trade minister had earlier hinted at holding a Türkiye-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission meeting in Dhaka.
Why It’s Important
“Bangladesh has been emerging as a more important financial partner for Turkey, and Turkish investors are already operating in areas like energy, consumer goods and ready-made garments. Bangladesh is looking to strengthen ties with Turkey, a move that could help the country diversify its trade partnerships and attract new investment, as it also seeks to forge economic partnerships with other major players such as the United States. Both leaders pledged to work together in new areas of cooperation, and more high-level exchanges are likely in the coming months to translate Tuesday’s talks into concrete trade and investment results.
