Dhaka, Feb 12 (UNB) - Visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul Friday said his country would take initiatives to increase the existing trade volume with Bangladesh from around 600 million US  dollars to over 1 billion dollars.

“We want to see an increased trade volume with Bangladesh,” the Turkish President said while speaking at a joint press briefing with Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman after holding a 45-minute bilateral meeting at Bangabhaban.

Gul said he would give directives to Turkish airlines as soon as possible after his return to Turkey to link Dhaka with Turkey with direct flights.

“A delegation of 100 investors is accompanying me and they’ll see what and where they can invest here in,” he said through his interpreter.

Appreciating the hospitality of the President, Gul said the friendship and brotherly relations between the two countries would be further strengthened. “My delegation is happy visiting the country,” he said.

Describing the relations with Bangladesh as historic having the same values and culture, Abdullah Gul recalled that many people in Bangladesh know the names of Mostafa Kamal.

Welcoming the Turkish President and his delegation to Bangladesh, Zillur mentioned that the bilateral relations between the two countries are excellent and it would be further strengthened and deepened through this visit.

“We share common history, values, traditions, faith and culture. Both of our people are freedom-loving and have deep commitment towards democracy and other liberal ethos.”

Describing Turkey as a trusted friend of Bangladesh since its independence, he said the Heads of State and Heads of Government of the two countries visited each other’s country several times which have undoubtedly increased depth and dimension of our bilateral relations.

“We’ve some agreements with Turkey, including on culture and education and training for members of the Armed Forces,” Zillur said.

During the bilateral talks, the President emphasized trade and commerce and investment, saying that Turkish entrepreneurs and investors would find textile and apparels, energy, ship-building, heavy machinery, telecommunications, petrochemical, tourism, infrastructure and agro-based industries sectors particularly relevant.

The President said Turkish investors could also explore other sectors such as infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals, ICT, real estate, gas and energy.

Zillur said the total trade volume between Bangladesh and Turkey has now reached almost US$ 517 million (as of August 2009) and he believes that this might be increased by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to Bangladeshi products in Turkey.

Terming Bangladesh as one of the most vulnerable countries of the world to global climate change, Zillur Rahman mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina raised this burning issue to the international forum for addressing it urgently.

He noted that the Prime Minister has declared “Vision 2021” to build an IT-based happy and prosperous Bangladesh. “We need Turkey’s cooperation and assistance in the field of IT to materialize it by 2021.”

“I look forward to working with Turkey to achieve our common goals for improving the quality of life, prosperity and security of our two people,” he said.

Finance Minister AAM Muhith, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Commerce Minister M Faruk Khan were present at the press conference.