Tarique, Kazakhstan PM agree to open embassies, boost ties at WEF

They also discuss trade, investment, skilled workforce exports, renewable energy and technology cooperation

Bangladesh and Kazakhstan have agreed to establish permanent diplomatic missions in their respective capitals to bolster bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

The agreement emerged during a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Kazakh counterpart Oljas Bektenov on Wednesday.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, commonly known as the Summer Davos Forum, at the Dalian International Conference Centre in China, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the talks, Tarique pushed for stronger bilateral ties, advocating for regular interactions between government officials, business leaders, and citizens to enhance political and economic engagement.

Bektenov welcomed the prospect of greater commercial involvement, expressing optimism about expanding bilateral trade and investment.

The discussions spanned potential partnerships in exporting skilled Bangladeshi workforce to Kazakhstan, alongside cooperation in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, technology, agribusiness, and food processing.

Bektenov also sought Bangladesh’s backing for a Kazakh proposal to create a specialised UN agency for water diplomacy, a move Tarique confirmed Dhaka fully supports.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Humayun Kabir, and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were present at the meeting.