Bangladesh Finance Minister Urges Direct Dhaka-Tashkent Flights to Boost Trade

According to a press release from the Bangladesh Embassy in Uzbekistan on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors. During the session, the Finance Minister expressed gratitude to the Uzbek government and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for congratulating Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the formation of the new government in Bangladesh. Highlighting the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two nations, the Minister urged the resumption of Uzbek Airways services to establish direct flight connectivity between Dhaka and Tashkent, which he believes would significantly accelerate people-to-people contact and business activities.

To further solidify diplomatic relations, the Finance Minister emphasized the importance of opening an Uzbek diplomatic mission or embassy in Bangladesh. He sought the Deputy Prime Minister’s cooperation in increasing the market access of Bangladeshi readymade garments, pharmaceuticals, and jute products in Uzbekistan. Additionally, he requested a simplified visa process for businessmen and tourists and extended an official invitation to the Uzbek President to visit Bangladesh. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev expressed his government’s keen interest in strengthening economic partnerships, particularly praising Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in the textile and pharmaceutical sectors. He assured that an Uzbek business delegation would soon visit Bangladesh to explore new investment opportunities and stressed the need to finalize pending agreements in agriculture, trade, and tourism to elevate the bilateral relationship to the next level.