Mr. Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Honorary Consul General Of Turkey

HCG/786/2011

Mr. Salahuddin Kasem Khan

We should recall that the historic relation between Bangladesh and Turkey transcends nearly 5 centuries. In the 16th century Osmani Sultan of Turkey had his Naval fleet constructed in Chittagong in preference to the shipyard of Alexandria. It is heartening today that shipbuilding is again being renewed as an export-oriented industry after nearly 500 years.


As Consul General of Turkey for nearly 25 years from 1985; the year 2010 will be a historic year for Bangla-Turkey relations. H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gul. The President of Turkey visited Dhaka on 12th March, 2010. I had the privilege of meeting him and requested on behalf of the Citizens of the Port City the following:
(1) Renovation and restoration of the Shahi Jame Masjid in Anderkilla, Chittagong.
(2) Establishing of Turkish Bank in Bangladesh.

This visit was followed by H.E. the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on 13th November, 2010 to Dhaka. I had the opportunity to meet His Excellency and I made two specific requests:
(1) Establishment of a Turkish SEZ (Special Economic Zone) in Chittagong.
(2) Setting up a Turkish Institute of History, Language Culture and Economy in the Chittagong University.

It is heartening to note that the first proposal for Renovation and Restoration of Shahi Jame Mosque has been accepted by the Turkish Government and we hope the others will follow In sha Allah, this will restore the historical and spiritual bonds between the brotherly peoples of Bangladesh and Turkey, leading to greater trade and investment and socio-economic cooperation.

Mr. Khan has been recently nominated to the Academic council of the Madina Institute Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

Salahuddin Kasem Khan
Hon. Consul General
Republic of Turkey