Dhaka, Sept. 10 -- Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has called for reducing Bangladesh's 'over-reliance' on ready-made garments in its export basket to Hong Kong, urging a push toward high-value, diversified products such as fresh fruits, jute and leather goods to narrow the widening bilateral trade gap.

Muktadir made the remarks during a meeting with Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday.

The minister said Bangladesh's total bilateral trade with Hong Kong stood at $415 million in FY2024-25, of which Bangladesh imported $307 million worth of goods against exp...