Tarique discusses trade, investment with Erdogan

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday evening, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral relations, expand trade and investment, and deepen cooperation in various sectors.

The meeting took place at 7:15pm in local time at the Maxx Royal Hotel in Antalya shortly after Tarique arrived in Türkiye on a three-day official visit to attend the World Leaders' Summit of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

Bangladesh and Türkiye may also issue a joint declaration on the use of jute and jute products and the expansion of their markets, potentially opening new opportunities for Bangladesh's jute industry in Türkiye and Europe.

Meanwhile, climate finance, clean energy transition, food security, safe water and climate justice dominated discussions on the second day of COP31 on Monday. However, fresh oilfield discoveries and moves to expand fossil fuel production have exposed the growing contradiction between climate commitments and energy policies.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to present Bangladesh's climate demands at the World Leaders' Summit on November 11 and 12, focusing on climate justice, adaptation financing, compensation for climate-induced losses and damage, technology transfer and international cooperation.

Bangladesh is also showcasing the environmental potential of jute through a dedicated pavilion in the conference's Green Zone, highlighting its diverse applications as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials.

Tarique arrived in Antalya on Tuesday with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and members of the official delegation. He departed Dhaka at 7:30am and reached Istanbul at 12:40pm local time before flying to Antalya, where he arrived at 4:03pm. He was welcomed by Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dr Serdar Cam.

The delegation includes State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir and Shama Obaed, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, Chief Coordinator for SDG Affairs Professor Dr SM Abdul Awal and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Affairs Dr Saimum Parvez, among others.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the plenary session on November 12, highlighting Bangladesh's experience as a climate-vulnerable country and calling for stronger international support. He is also expected to hold meetings with the prime ministers of Australia and Uzbekistan, the UK's foreign secretary and China's vice-premier.

Fossil fuel contradiction Energy security and transport were the central themes of the conference's second day, with discussions covering renewable energy, electrification, sustainable transport and industrial decarbonisation. Around 140 of the day's 370 sessions focused on energy and transport.

One of the major developments was Erdogan's announcement of two newly discovered oilfields in Türkiye's Gabar region, with an estimated initial potential reserve of 135 million barrels. Their development, alongside additional wells, could raise the region's oil production by around 30 per cent.