‎ASEAN Diplomats to Meet BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman Ahead of National Polls

ফাইল ছবি

Diplomatic Correspondent: Diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stationed in Dhaka are set to meet BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman ahead of the upcoming national elections, as part of efforts to enhance multilateral engagement with Bangladesh, diplomatic sources said.
‎The ASEAN member states with resident missions in Dhaka include Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, while Cambodia and Laos do not maintain resident missions. These countries regularly coordinate in Dhaka to promote ASEAN interests, organize cultural initiatives and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Bangladesh.
‎Indonesia, the current chair of ASEAN, is expected to play a leading role in the planned meeting. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Bangladesh and Nepal, Listyowati, is likely to lead the ASEAN delegation during the interaction with the BNP Chairperson, sources added.
‎Meanwhile, Ambassador Listyowati is scheduled to present her credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Thursday. Earlier, she paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Protocol of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Md. Nural Islam, on Sunday to formally submit a copy of her Letter of Credence.
‎During the meeting, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is expected to discuss a range of issues with ASEAN diplomats, including trade expansion, manpower export, visa facilitation, investment opportunities, enhanced engagement and other matters of mutual interest.
‎Indonesia assumed the ASEAN chairmanship following its successful leadership of the G20 and hosting of the summit in Bali in November 2023. Looking ahead, the Philippines is set to take over the ASEAN chair in 2026, a role that comes amid evolving regional security dynamics and growing geopolitical competition between major global powers, particularly the United States and China.
‎Established in August 1967 by five founding members—the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia—ASEAN has since expanded to ten member states. East Timor is expected to join as the bloc’s eleventh member later this year. Beyond intra-regional cooperation, ASEAN also serves as a key platform for dialogue with external partners such as the United States, Japan and India.
‎Despite Bangladesh’s efforts to diversify its export destinations beyond traditional markets like the United States, European Union, UK, Canada, Japan and Australia, exports to ASEAN countries have remained relatively insignificant over the years, according to policymakers, business leaders and diplomats.
‎Bangladesh’s total exports during the fiscal year 2024–25 (July 2024–June 2025) reached approximately USD 48.28 billion, reflecting an 8.58 percent year-on-year growth, largely driven by the readymade garments (RMG) sector, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). However, exports to ASEAN countries accounted for only 1 to 2 percent of total exports, amounting to less than USD 1 billion during the same period.
‎In contrast, ASEAN member states exported goods worth USD 10.53 billion to Bangladesh during the 2023–24 fiscal year, representing 16.7 percent of Bangladesh’s total imports, compared to USD 11.35 billion in the previous fiscal year.
‎According to EPB data, Bangladesh exported USD 61 million to Thailand, USD 56 million to Indonesia, USD 13 million to Brunei, USD 110 million to Singapore, USD 86 million to the Philippines and USD 34 million to Myanmar during the July–June period of fiscal year 2024–25.
‎A senior EPB official emphasized that Bangladesh must explore new markets and diversify its product base to reduce excessive reliance on traditional export destinations and fully tap into the growing ASEAN market.