Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle stressed broader, more institutional cooperation in trade, investment, skills development and research. At a Thursday meeting at the Commerce Ministry in the Secretariat, they discussed expanding cooperation in trade-negotiation capacity, education, agriculture, livestock and investment to deepen bilateral economic ties. Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan attended the meeting.

The minister said the government plans long-term institutional training to strengthen officials’ skills in international trade, particularly World Trade Organization law and trade negotiations. He said an initiative has been taken to establish a research and study centre, envisioned as a future regional hub for knowledge and skills exchange. He also cited planned specialised training for project directors.

Ryle said Australia was interested in supporting such long-term capacity-building programmes, including trade negotiations, legal aspects of international agreements and policy skills. The sides also discussed post-LDC trade benefits and future market access. Bilateral trade is about $5.5 billion and growing, she said. An Australian business delegation is planning a Bangladesh visit, while beef exports, halal certification, animal traceability and livestock management were also discussed.