Business & Economy
Bangladesh targets more than $10bn in trade with Indonesia
Bangladesh wants bilateral trade with Indonesia to exceed $10 billion, while narrowing a large imbalance. Officials discussed garment, pharmaceutical and agricultural exports and reviving stalled preferential-trade negotiations.
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From 8 October 2026 — Daily Brief
Bangladesh is seeking to raise annual trade with Indonesia to more than $10 billion while reducing a large imbalance that currently favours Indonesian exports.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir discussed the target with Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Anis Matta in Dhaka on 7 October.
Current bilateral trade is around $4 billion. Bangladesh imports roughly $3.5 billion of goods from Indonesia but exports only about $56 million, according to figures cited by the commerce ministry.
Dhaka wants greater market access for ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, potatoes and vaccines. The two sides also discussed reviving negotiations on a preferential trade agreement and broader economic cooperation, including energy and mutual recognition of halal certification.
Indonesia is a major supplier of commodities and industrial inputs to Bangladesh, so simply increasing total trade would not by itself correct the imbalance. The economic test will be whether Bangladeshi exporters can secure substantially greater access to the Indonesian market.
No new trade agreement was concluded at the meeting. The $10 billion figure is a policy ambition rather than a forecast or binding target.