Bangladesh will buy more aircraft based on national needs and its capacity rather than under pressure, and will need a larger fleet to establish itself as an aviation hub in Asia, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists at the foreign ministry, Kobir said Dhaka maintained good relations with Washington and balanced ties with Beijing, as well as good relations with other countries.

Noting the United States as an important development partner, he added that Bangladesh would seek to expand trade and investment with the country.

Asked about additional aircraft purchases following a message from Sergio Gor on selling more Boeing aircraft to Bangladesh, the state minister said the existing agreement already allowed Bangladesh to buy additional aircraft as needed.

Bangladesh wanted to develop itself into an aviation hub in Asia, he said. “This is an important gateway. We have to provide services on more routes, so we need a bigger fleet.”

Citing the growth of Ethiopian Airlines, Kobir said Bangladesh needed a fleet of 70 to 80 aircraft and would need more over the next 10 to 15 years. Against that backdrop, he said, the current orders were not large.

“There is no pressure,” Kobir said when asked whether the purchases were being made under pressure. “Where we have the capacity to buy according to our needs, we will continue to buy and we will buy. This is an ongoing matter. It is very clear.”

He said Bangladesh’s aviation sector had to meet the country’s needs. “Alongside ensuring passenger services, Bangladesh should develop a distinct aviation hub in Asia, serving as a gateway to routes across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.”