Vietnam and Bangladesh promote cooperation
Speaking at the Bangladesh–Vietnam Business Exchange Forum 2026 and B2B Trade Connection, Ms. Vo Hong Anh - Deputy Director of the Foreign Market Development Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) assessed that Bangladesh is one of the most dynamic markets in South Asia, with strong domestic demand and impressive industrial development. Meanwhile, Vietnam is increasingly becoming an important production and export center in Southeast Asia. These are not competitive strengths but complementary strengths.
Bangladesh needs partners, while Vietnamese businesses are looking for new markets and long-term cooperation opportunities. We not only bring products to introduce but also want to listen to and understand market needs to build sustainable cooperative relationships with Bangladeshi partners," Ms. Hong Anh said.
On the Bangladesh side, Mr. Lutfor Rahman - Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to Vietnam said that in the coming time there are some priority areas where Bangladesh and Vietnam can significantly strengthen economic cooperation.
First, it is necessary to accelerate the completion of the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). A PTA that benefits both parties has the potential to significantly increase bilateral trade, improve market access, reduce tariff barriers and encourage more investment from the private sector.
Second, investment cooperation needs to become a central pillar in the economic partnership between the two countries.
Third, we need to strengthen cooperation in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food processing, textiles, information and communication technology, digital economy, renewable energy, logistics, shipbuilding, light machinery industry, halal products and agricultural processing. Technology transfer, industrial cooperation and joint venture projects in these fields can create significant value for both economies.
Fourth, strengthening cooperation between trade offices, trade promotion organizations, business associations and financial institutions of the two countries will continue to facilitate business connections, investment partnerships and the increasing participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in bilateral trade.
Fifth, is the operation of direct flights between the two countries. This will not only promote trade and tourism but also bring relations between the two countries to a new height.
Opportunities for Vietnamese textiles and garments in the high-end segment
Sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper on the sidelines of the Forum, Mr. Vuong Van Dien - CEO of Okapi Vietnam Company said that the fashion brand Badass said that the business expects to find partners to expand export markets, contributing to increasing revenue and increasing value for Vietnam's textile and garment industry.
According to Mr. Dien, the company's operations are still mainly concentrated in the domestic market with a distribution system in Hanoi and many provinces and cities. The company has also had some cooperation with foreign partners through intermediaries, but direct exports are still the goal in the coming time.
Assessing the Bangladesh market, Mr. Dien said that this is a country with great advantages in labor and textile production costs. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses find it difficult to compete by price but need to focus on the high-quality and environmentally friendly segment.
What Bangladeshi businesses are interested in is products of natural origin, instead of synthetic fabric lines. This is an advantage that Vietnamese businesses can exploit," Mr. Dien said.
To promote more effective cooperation, Mr. Dien expects trade promotion agencies and business associations to strengthen the connecting role between businesses of the two countries, helping Vietnamese businesses reach the right partners, grasp market needs and reduce time and costs of finding customers.
Connection needs to be focused, aimed at the right businesses with needs instead of letting businesses explore themselves in a large market. This will improve the effectiveness of trade promotion and open up more export opportunities for Vietnamese businesses," Mr. Dien emphasized.
