There is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Bangladesh and Thailand: Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said there are opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Bangladesh and Thailand in trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy and ICT. Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin made these remarks at a formal luncheon held at her office Government House today. – live

The Prime Minister said, I strongly believe, we have opportunities to strengthen our cooperation in trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy, ICT, people-to-people communication and connectivity and under BIMSTEC. Earlier the two leaders held a private meeting and then they led their respective sides in a bilateral meeting there. Five bilateral documents were signed there in the presence of the two Prime Ministers. These include a contract, three memorandums of understanding and a letter of interest.

At the lunch meeting, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh attaches great importance to the relationship with Thailand as a neighbor. Our friendship is deeply rooted in historical, linguistic and common cultural heritage. Warm and cordial relations between our two friendly countries continue to grow in multifaceted cooperation including trade and investment, sustainable development, people-to-people contacts and connectivity.

The Prime Minister said, we have agreed to make all efforts to increase our bilateral trade and further encourage interaction between public and private organizations of the two countries. Similarly, we must make every effort to promote and facilitate bilateral investment. He said that the agreements and memorandum of understanding signed by Dhaka and Bangkok today will provide an opportunity to establish a strong framework for increasing bilateral cooperation.

Regarding the visit to Thailand, Sheikh Hasina said, the visit is part of a larger focus on ‘neighbourhood’ policy which has provided an excellent opportunity for the two countries to further renew the momentum of bilateral relations. I strongly believe that this visit will deepen the relationship between our two countries and take it a long way. This official visit will be a milestone in our bilateral relations. It ushers in a new era of fruitful partnership between our two countries. We must sustain the new momentum of our relationship for the mutual benefit of our people and country.

Before attending the lunch meeting, Sheikh Hasina visited a Thai handicraft exhibition at Government House. At that time, the Prime Minister was accompanied by his younger sister Sheikh Rehana and Bangabandhu’s son-in-law Radwan Mujib Siddique.