Bangladesh and Sri Lanka explore potato and onion export potential
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have discussed the potential for exporting Bangladeshi potatoes and onions to the Sri Lankan market during a bilateral meeting. The talks took place on the sidelines of the 11th Belt and Road Summit 2026 in Hong Kong.
High-level representatives from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have held a significant bilateral meeting to discuss bilateral trade opportunities. The diplomatic engagement took place on September 10, 2026, in Hong Kong, coinciding with the ongoing 11th Belt and Road Summit 2026.
During the meeting, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, who serves as Bangladesh's minister of commerce, industry, and textiles and jute, met with Wasantha Samarasinghe, the minister of commerce for Sri Lanka. The discussions centered on strengthening economic ties and exploring new avenues for regional commerce between the two South Asian nations.
A major outcome of the bilateral talks was the decision by the government to dispatch a dedicated trade delegation soon. This delegation will be tasked with thoroughly examining the market potential for exporting Bangladeshi potatoes and onions to Sri Lanka.
During the deliberations, the Sri Lankan trade minister expressed explicit interest in importing potatoes and onions directly from Bangladesh. This potential trade expansion comes at a time when new potatoes are currently being retailed at a price ranging between 25 and 30 taka per kilogram.
Highlighting the mutual benefits of the proposed trade initiatives, Sri Lankan Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that increasing regional trade would ultimately benefit both consumers and business people in the two countries. The Potato Association is also connected to the broader context of agricultural trade discussions in the region.
