Bangladesh has initiated efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with New Zealand by expanding cooperation across high-potential sectors, including agri-tech, dairy, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, leather, jute, sustainable textiles, and information technology.
The initiative was discussed during a meeting with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), where Bangladesh outlined opportunities for joint investment, business-to-business partnerships, and increased exports in these areas.
The meeting noted that annual bilateral trade between Bangladesh and New Zealand is currently valued at approximately $450 million. Dairy and metal products make up a substantial share of Bangladesh’s imports from New Zealand.
Bangladesh’s exports to New Zealand currently stand at approximately $147 million, with ready-made garments (RMG) representing a significant portion of the total.
According to the Commerce Ministry, Bangladesh requested support from NZTE to expand its non-RMG exports to the New Zealand market to establish a more balanced and diversified trade relationship. It further emphasized the importance of developing new market opportunities for pharmaceuticals, eco-friendly jute products, leather goods, sustainable textiles, and IT services in New Zealand.
Bangladesh highlighted the capabilities of its pharmaceutical sector, noting that local manufacturers follow internationally recognized certifications and quality standards, creating opportunities to supply affordable generic medicines and vaccines to New Zealand.
The delegation also pointed to Bangladesh’s pool of more than 650,000 skilled technology professionals and proposed partnerships with New Zealand firms in software, fintech, and digital services.
Bangladesh further invited New Zealand companies to invest in its special economic zones, particularly in dairy processing, nutrition, cold-chain logistics, agri-tech, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and green technologies.
Bangladesh affirmed that special economic zones offer attractive facilities for foreign investors, encouraging New Zealand companies to use them as a gateway to wider South and Southeast Asian markets.
Both sides also agreed to form a bilateral Business Council and participate in trade fairs. The meeting emphasized establishing a balanced partnership by combining Bangladesh’s large market and manufacturing base with New Zealand’s technological strengths and high-value exports, aiming to elevate trade and investment ties.
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