Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Bangladesh Seeks Faster Indian Business Visas, Balanced Economic Partnership
Bangladesh wants its businesspeople to get Indian visas faster.
It says this would help companies in both countries communicate and work together more often.
Bangladesh also wants trade and investment with India to grow.
The minister said some rules, testing requirements and delays make it harder to move goods and services.
She asked Indian companies to invest in Bangladesh and create jobs.
She highlighted industries such as clothing, textiles, leather, medicines and food processing.
The two countries traded about USD 11.35 billion according to the report.
Bangladesh said the trade relationship should become more balanced and help people in both countries.
Bangladesh urged India to issue business visas more quickly so its businesspeople can travel more frequently.
State Minister Shama Obaid Islam called for more communication, trade and investment between the two countries.
She cited non-tariff barriers, testing standards, procedural delays and infrastructure constraints as obstacles.
Bangladesh invited Indian investment in its economic zones, especially projects bringing technology and creating jobs.
Bilateral trade was reported at approximately USD 11.35 billion, though Bangladesh described it as structurally imbalanced.
- Who
- Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, Bangladeshi business leaders and a Confederation of Indian Industry delegation.
- What
- Bangladesh called for faster Indian business visas, fewer trade obstacles and a more balanced economic partnership with India.
- When
- The remarks were made at a reception on Tuesday night and reported on Wednesday; the dateline was August 19.
- Where
- At a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
- Why
- Bangladesh wants to increase trade, investment and business communication while addressing barriers that limit the movement of goods and services.
- Bilateral trade
- Approximately USD 11.35 billion as of February 2025-26, according to the report.
- Visa request
- Bangladesh urged faster issuance of business visas for nationals traveling to India.
- Trade concerns
- Bangladesh cited non-tariff barriers, standards and testing difficulties, procedural delays and infrastructure constraints.
- Investment invitation
- Bangladesh invited Indian companies to establish manufacturing and export facilities in its economic zones.
- Priority sectors
- Ready-made garments, textiles, jute, leather and footwear, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, ceramics, plastics and light engineering.
- Market access
- India provides duty-free and quota-free access for almost all Bangladeshi products under the South Asian Free Trade Area.
- Bangladesh's assessment
- The minister said bilateral trade had grown significantly but remained structurally imbalanced and below its potential.