Sheikh Hasina’s emphasis on increasing cooperation with Thailand

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes that there are opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Bangladesh and Thailand in the fields of trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy and ICT.

According to BASS, the head of the government of Bangladesh said this while attending the midday banquet organized by Thai Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin at the Government House, the office of the head of government in Bangkok.

Sheikh Hasina 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 BIMSTEC.”

Before the banquet, the two leaders held a private meeting and then they led their respective sides in a bilateral meeting.

Five bilateral documents were signed in the presence of the two Prime Ministers. These include a contract, three memorandums of understanding and a letter of interest.

Sheikh Hasina said at the banquet that Bangladesh attaches great importance to the relationship with Thailand as a neighbor.

He said, “Our friendship is deeply rooted in historical, linguistic and common cultural heritage. The warm and cordial relations between our two friendly countries have expanded into multifaceted areas of cooperation including trade and investment, sustainable development, people-to-people contacts and connectivity.”

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh said that he had discussions with Thai Prime Minister Thavisis on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

“We have agreed to make all efforts to increase our bilateral trade and further encourage interaction between the public and private sector of the two countries. Likewise, 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 will provide an opportunity to establish a strong framework for increasing bilateral cooperation.

Sheikh Hasina said her visit was part of a greater focus on the ‘neighbourhood’ policy, which provided an ‘excellent opportunity’ to renew the relationship between the two countries.

“I firmly believe that this visit will deepen the relationship between our two countries and take it a long way.”

The Prime Minister said, “This 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 banquet, 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.