Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between BFTI and ITD

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 30 October, 2025 between the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) and the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) of Thailand.

The MoU was formally signed by Mr. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand and Permanent Representative to the UN ESCAP, on behalf of BFTI, and Mr. Suphakit Chareonkul, Executive Director of ITD, representing ITD. Mrs. Suphawadee Wongsawasdi, Minister Counsellor/Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka and Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad, Chief Executive Officer (Additional Charge) of BFTI, participated virtually in the signing ceremony.

Through this MoU, both institutions have agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation in the fields of education, research, training, and human resource development within the trade and development sectors. Both organizations will undertake initiatives for joint research, seminars, workshops, and training programs, as well as the exchange of academic and policy knowledge.

Ambassador  Faiyaz Murshid Kazi expressed his optimism that this MoU would enable the two research institutions to advance the joint feasibility study for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Thailand. He also urged the two institutions to organize a seminar on the bilateral FTA, involving relevant business representatives and other stakeholders from both countries.

Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad, Chief Executive Officer (Additional Charge) of BFTI, stated that "Bangladesh has already achieved significant progress in trade expansion and diversification. This cooperation is particularly significant in enhancing the country's commercial and institutional capacity following its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Through this MoU, both parties will be able to engage in knowledge exchange, joint research, training, and innovative activities that will benefit not only Bangladesh and Thailand but also the entire Asia-Pacific region".

Mr. Suphakit Chareonkul, Executive Director of ITD, expressed his anticipation for closer cooperation in trade, investment, skill development, and policy research in the future. He further emphasized that "Both institutions will collaborate to ensure that trade remains a key driver for sustainable and inclusive development in the Asia-Pacific region".

BFTI is a research-based think tank under the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh, dedicated to providing research, training, and policy advice to modernize and enhance Bangladesh's foreign trade management. ITD is also a research-based think tank under the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, established as an international institution in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). ITD works to enhance the capacity and promote trade in Thailand and other developing countries across Asia and other regions.

Other attendees from the Bangladesh Embassy at the signing ceremony included Mr. Saroar Ahmed Saleheen, Deputy Permanent Representative, Counsellor Economic and and Mr. Md Samaun Khalid, First Secretary (Political).