The third meeting of joint working commission on trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan is likely to be held here in October aiming to expand trade and commerce, officials said. Commerce minister Tipu Munshi has already given his consent to hold the meeting between the two countries. The commerce ministry has asked the foreign affairs ministry to send the minister’s consent to the Uzbek embassy, New Delhi. If the Covid-19 pandemic situation does not become normal, the meeting will be held in a virtual format in the same month, according to the ministry. In June, the Uzbek embassy, New Delhi proposed the Bangladesh embassy there for holding the 3rd meeting within the shortest possible time through videoconferencing. The commerce minister in March invited his Uzbek counterpart for holding the meeting in Bangladesh. Earlier, two meetings were held between the two countries in this regard. A commerce ministry official said, “We are working on the issue. The two countries will fix a date for holding the 3rd intergovernmental commission meeting sometime in October.” In May, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Sardor Umurzakov agreed to form a Joint Working Group (JWG) through videoconferencing. During the meeting, they discussed various issues to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries. “Bangladesh is keen interest to expand trade and commerce with the central Asian nation. However, there are some barriers at trade level. It is possible to resolve the barriers by creating a JWG comprising experts concerned from both the countries,” according to the commerce ministry. A process is underway for completing a deal between Bangladesh and Uzbek on avoidance of double taxation and preventing revenue evasion between the two countries, according to a NBR document. Bangladesh and Uzbek had already signed an agreed minute in this connection. Later, the Uzbek authority concerned had sent two amendment proposals in this regard that will be informed to them through the foreign affairs ministry, the document added.
