"Turkey has taken note of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's call for granting duty-free access for Bangladesh products like RMG, footwear and leather goods. We are hopeful that we'll have a positive outcome to this effect in the upcoming meeting of Joint Economic Commission," he added.

Briefing the diplomatic correspondents about the prime minister's four-day visit to Turkey, the foreign secretary said a high-powered business delegation from Ankara may come to Bangladesh next month to explore the potential for investment in textile, leather, construction and other sectors.

Describing the visit as constructive and fruitful, he said, "An enormous interest seems to have grown among the Turkish entrepreneurs about Bangladesh's congenial investment climate and cheap workforce."

Hemayetuddin told the post-visit press briefing that the Bangladesh-Turkey Joint Economic Commission, which has not met since 1992, will hold talks in Ankara in October this year to evolve a mechanism for enhancing two-way trade and investment.

According to official statistics, the volume of bilateral trade was $114 million in 2004-05 when Bangladesh exported goods worth around $76 million to Turkey.

The foreign secretary said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the official talks assured Khaleda of taking the initiative to invest in agriculture and agro-processing sector.

He said Turkey expressed its willingness to participate in implementation of various construction projects particularly those financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB). They also wanted to provide Bangladesh railway carriages.

Hemayetuddin said Turkey has also decided to increase the number of scholarships for Bangladeshi students from 30 to 70 and train the country's young diplomats in international relations.

Bangladesh will welcome Turkish students for higher studies in medical and engineering.

He said the next JEC meeting will discuss all these matters in detail. About not holding the JEC meet for the last 14 years, he said there might have been lapses on both the sides, but now they see potentials in the changed global scenario.

Besides, he said, the two prime ministers discussed international issues of common concern including the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They stressed the need for reforming the OIC to make it an action-oriented body and develop human resources and trade among the member states. The two leaders expressed resolve to combat international terrorism and make endeavours to remove 'Islamphoebia'.

The foreign secretary said the visit will hopefully advance the bilateral relations and cooperation. He said it has already marked a tremendous political impact on Turkey.

He said the Turkish people still remember the support given by Bangladesh people in their struggle for independence. They appreciate the literary works of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

"We have not forgotten the support of the people of Bangladesh during the Turkish War of Independence," Hemayetuddin quoted the Turkish premier as saying.

He said Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer during his meeting with Khaleda described Bangladeshi people as their brothers.

Secretary of the Foreign Ministry AHM Moniruzzaman, Additional Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain Islam, Director General of External Publicity Wing Zahirul Haque and other high officials were present at the briefing.