January 20, 2026
DHAKA – An Afghan delegation headed by the country’s deputy commerce minister met Bangladesh’s commerce secretary today, expressing hope for duty-free bilateral trade.
Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Ahmadullah Zahid, made the proposal during a meeting with Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman at the latter’s office in Dhaka.
Zahid led the Afghan delegation of five to six members, said a senior commerce ministry official who asked not to be named.
It was not a formal bilateral meeting where documents or proposals were usually exchanged, the official added.
At the meeting, the Afghan deputy minister said his country seeks duty-free export of nearly 45 products to Bangladesh, including cotton, aiming to expand bilateral trade ties.
At the same time, he offered duty-free import of almost all major exportable commodities from Bangladesh.
Afghanistan considers Bangladesh a major source for RMG products, pharmaceuticals, beverages, confectionery, and packaged spices, Zahid added.
The commerce secretary could not be reached by phone for comments after the meeting.
A businessman involved in exports to Afghanistan said the two countries currently trade 98 products.
In terms of exporting dry food, fruits, stones, saffron, and almonds, Afghanistan may want to capture more of the market in Bangladesh, the businessman added.
Zahid arrived in Dhaka on Sunday as the head of the delegation, aiming to expand trade and economic ties.
A few months ago, another delegation from Afghanistan visited Bangladesh to discuss bilateral trade and investment with senior government officials.