Bangladesh and Thailand have signaled a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral trade, with both nations prioritizing improved logistics and enhanced maritime connectivity. The direction became clear following a meeting in Dhaka between Thai Ambassador Thitiporn Chirasawadi and Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin at the Secretariat.
During the discussion, the Commerce Adviser highlighted Bangladesh’s push to build a more investor-friendly climate. He noted that sectors such as pharmaceuticals, shrimp, furniture manufacturing, and tourism are experiencing strong growth, offering promising opportunities for Thai investors. He encouraged Thai businesses to explore these sectors to unlock mutually beneficial economic gains.
Ambassador Chirasawadi expressed optimism about the future of Bangladesh–Thailand trade relations, placing special emphasis on strengthening logistics infrastructure. She stressed that more efficient maritime routes would help expand trade volume while cutting transport time and costs.
She also pointed out that a Bangladesh–Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could play a key role in accelerating bilateral commerce.
One of the most significant proposals discussed was establishing the first direct maritime route between Thailand’s Ranong Port and Bangladesh’s Chattogram Port. The envoy said the use of Ranong Port—located on Thailand’s western coast—could dramatically reduce shipping time and make the trade route more competitive for exporters.
Both sides agreed to continue negotiations on the FTA and deepen cooperation on maritime connectivity to drive future trade growth.
