Bangladesh and Kosovo discussed initiating a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) process alongside leveraging European trade frameworks to expand trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The issue was discussed during a meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary (Bilateral) Ambassador Md Nazrul Islam and Kosovo’s Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation Mimoza Kusari-Lila in Pristina on Thursday, according to a Foreign Ministry press release issued on Friday.

The two sides discussed concrete opportunities for cooperation, particularly in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and information technology, and agreed to encourage greater private-sector engagement and exchanges of business delegations.

Bangladesh urged Kosovo to increase imports of Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments (RMG), jute and jute goods, ceramics and pharmaceuticals. It also invited Kosovan investors to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zones.

The two sides also discussed establishing a Joint Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation. Bangladesh invited a Kosovan private-sector delegation to visit the country on an exploratory mission.

The meeting also explored opportunities for greater business-to-business cooperation, including collaboration between the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce, as well as prospects for Bangladeshi companies to establish production facilities in Kosovo.

Kusari-Lila highlighted Kosovo’s investment potential, citing its proximity to the European Union market, favourable fiscal policies, competitive workforce and access to European markets through the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

She also said Bangladesh could benefit from regional connectivity among Western Balkan countries.

Both sides discussed initiating a process towards a bilateral FTA, which they said could create new opportunities to expand trade and investment.

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Director General (East Europe and CIS) SM Mahbubul Alam and Kosovo’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Lulzim Pllana were also present at the meeting.