Five documents were signed between Bangladesh and Thailand on the third day of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Thailand. An agreement, three memorandums of understanding and a letter of interest (LOI) were signed yesterday in a bilateral and private meeting with Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin at her office at Government House. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave this information in a joint press conference after the meeting.
The Prime Minister said, I have called on Thailand to take the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zone and Hi-Tech Park as well as in the hospital and medical sector. Discussed the possibility of cooperation in training and capacity building of Bangladeshi medical personnel. I have also proposed to the Thai Prime Minister to explore the possibility of investing in hospitals and medical facilities in Bangladesh. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was received by Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin on her arrival at the Government House and was accorded a red carpet welcome at the open space in front of Thai Kuh Fah Bhawan. A guard of honor was given to the Prime Minister by a contingent of four hundred members of the Thai Armed Forces. Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin introduced members of her cabinet to Sheikh Hasina. After that, Sheikh Hasina signed the guest book of Government House.
In a joint press conference, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh attaches great importance to the relationship with Thailand as a close neighbor. The warm cordial relations between our two countries are steadily growing in multifaceted areas of cooperation. In the bilateral meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral and regional issues in detail. The two leaders agreed to work together to achieve strong two-way growth, in addition to discussing long-term steps to increase the scope of trade cooperation, particularly bilateral trade. The Prime Minister said, We see Thailand as a very important and dynamic partner in our engagement with the vibrant economies of Southeast Asia. I assured Thai Prime Minister Thavisin to take necessary measures to facilitate investment and ease of doing business in Bangladesh. I have proposed to the Thai side that Thailand invest in our Special Economic Zones and Hi-Tech Parks and specifically take a SEZ. Noting that the two sides have agreed to start negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) by 2024, he said, the trade ministers of the two countries have signed a letter of intent (LOI) in this regard.
In order to facilitate easy communication between officials of the two countries, Dhaka and Bangkok have signed an agreement regarding visa exemption for official passport holders, the Prime Minister said, and there is already an agreement between the two countries for diplomatic passport holders.
Sheikh Hasina said that Thailand is a potential partner for Bangladesh in energy cooperation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Energy Cooperation is the second document signed here to explore the possibility of energy cooperation.
Referring to the signing of the third MoU on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, he said, “We have signed the MoU on cooperation in the field of tourism to benefit from Thai knowledge, experience and best tourism practices.” He said the two sides explored the possibility of cooperation in the agriculture and food processing sectors to ensure food security for the people. Regarding maritime communication, Sheikh Hasina said that the two sides have discussed the direct shipping line between Ranong port and Chittagong port. He said, I have proposed to the Thai side to increase cooperation between specialized universities between the two countries, especially in agriculture, fisheries and food processing. The two Prime Ministers also discussed regional cooperation mechanisms under the BIMSTEC framework. In the summit to be held at the end of this year, as the current president and host, Thailand will hand over the presidency to Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina said, We firmly believe that BIMSTEC is the main driver of regional economic growth of a total population of 1.8 billion. Bangladesh seeks Thailand’s support to achieve a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated the importance of high-level visits between the two countries and invited Sethra Thavisin to visit Bangladesh. He later attended a formal lunch at Government House.
Courtesy meeting of the Prime Minister with the King and Queen of Thailand: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a courtesy call on Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajira Klaocha Uyua and Queen Suthida Vajrasudha Bimlalakshman. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met the King and Queen at Amphorn Southern Throne Hall of Dusit Palace yesterday. During this time, they discussed skill exchange and various bilateral issues.
Prime Minister’s call to Awami League leaders and workers to work for the country and people: When a delegation of Thailand Awami League went to pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his residence, the Prime Minister called on them to work for the country and the people. He said, besides spreading the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, you have to work for the development of the country and the people. Referring to the significant progress and development of the country in the last 15 years, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina said that it has been possible to achieve this progress because she has been in power for a long time.
The leaders and activists told the Prime Minister that many Bangladeshis have got the citizenship of Thailand. But they want to maintain dual citizenship. They sought the Prime Minister’s intervention regarding this dual citizenship. In response, the Prime Minister said that he will talk to the Thai government about the matter. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Thailand on a six-day official visit on Wednesday at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin. He is scheduled to return home on April 29.
