Bangladesh–Iran relations

Bangladesh-Iran relations

Bangladesh	Iran

Bangladesh–Iran relations are the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Iran. Despite not having any major deals or any big kind of trade they representatives of both nations have called for expanding economic relations between the two countries.

Modern relations

With the fall of the Shah in 1979, new dimensions were added to the relationship between the newly proclaimed Islamic Republic of Iran and Bangladesh. Relations gradually grew further with President Hashemi Rafsanjani becoming the first Iranian leader to visit independent Bangladesh in 1995. Subsequently Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also visited Iran and held talks with President Mohammed Khatami. Iran assisted Bangladesh with relief package in cylone sidr that hit Bangladesh in 2007

Current Relations

The government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sought to deepen ties between the two states, with Iranian investment in Bangladeshi industry. Bangladesh has also supported Iran's controversial nuclear program, claiming it is for peaceful purposes.

Bangladesh and Iran signed a preferential trade accord in July 2006 which removed non-tariff barriers, with a view to eventually establishing a free trade agreement. Before the signing of the accord, bilateral trade between the countries amounted to US$100 million annually.

In mid-2007, the Bangladeshi government requested Iran's help in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, in order to offset the decline in the availability of gas for power generation. Bangladeshi Minister of Power, Energy and Natural Resources also requested Iranian assistance for the construction of new oil refineries in Bangladesh.

Trade Relations

Bangladesh and Iran signed an MoU on signing a bilateral trade agreement at the meeting held in 20/feb/01/. Besides, there is a preferential trade agreement signed in 2006 between the two countries which has remained not functional for last nine years.

The proposed joint council deal is expected to increase Bangladesh’s export to Iran as the latter has good demand of jute and jute goods.

“Bangladesh government also plans to provide some trade facilities to exporters to Iran. The issue will be discussed with the Iranian authorities,” said an official. Of the MoUs, an MoU will be signed on the import of wheat from Iran, officials said. An MoU on agriculture sector signed at the 2013 meeting will be extended till 2020.

About the PTA, officials said the countries have failed to settle dispute of rules of origin of products in last nine years of signing of the agreement, which has kept it non-functional.

Meanwhile, Iran asked Bangladesh to regularly pay instalments of a loan taken from the country in the 1980s.

An ERD letter sent to foreign affairs ministry recently cited the development.

Bangladesh took the loan to construct Ashuganj Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd, but later faced problems to continue repayment of instalments after the sanction was imposed on Iran in 2006.

Terrorism

Bangladesh and Iran have discussed possible cooperation in the area of fighting against extremism. “We discussed the possibility of common joint cooperation on extremism and we will look into the exact details of how we can do that,” visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Javed Zarif said at a press briefing at Hotel Sonargaon yesterday.

He came to Dhaka Tuesday night to explain the nuclear solution it had with the Western World. He left the city yesterday.

He had official talks with his Bangladesh counterpart AH Mahmood Ali and courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Oil Development

Eastern Refinery, the sole oil refinery in Bangladesh, was built with assistance from Iran. This made Iran the largest energy donor to Bangladesh.

Further reading

• Chapter on PERSIAN IN BENGAL in "The Rise, Growth And Decline of Indo-Persian Literature" by R. M. Chopra, Iran Culture House. New Delhi, 2012. Also revised edition published in 2013.

External links

• Iran and Bangladesh, International Humanist and Ethical Union