Dhaka, Bangkok to start FTA talks during PM's visit

Bangladesh and Thailand will sign several cooperation documents, including a letter of intent for negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 24-29 April visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

The countries are also expected to sign an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation, said Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at the curtain-raiser event for the visit.

He mentioned that two additional MoUs, one on tourism sector cooperation and another on duty-related mutual cooperation to expand relations, are also slated for signing.

The premier will embark on this six-day official visit starting Wednesday at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin, aiming to strengthen ties between the two countries.

He said Bangladesh will also seek support from Thailand regarding Rohingya repatriation.

"ASEAN member states, including Thailand, will be strongly urged to play a more active and effective role in resolving the ongoing political conflict in Myanmar and ensuring the prompt repatriation of the Rohingyas," he said.

The foreign minister mentioned that Bangladesh will strongly request to be granted the status of "Sectoral Dialogue Partner" of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

He also stated that the issue of shipping connectivity will be discussed, saying, "I am very interested in raising this issue."

Furthermore, Bangladesh will seek increased investment from Thailand.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the 80th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on 25 April.

She will deliver a special speech on the UN Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals during the session.

On the same day, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana will call on the prime minister.

Guided by the theme "Leveraging Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific," the 80th session will be an opportunity to strengthen region-wide cooperative action on leveraging digital innovation for the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The session will bring together government leaders, ministers from across Asia and the Pacific, and other key stakeholders to discuss how digital innovation can more inclusively contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals across multiple disciplines."

According to officials, Bangladesh and UNESCAP are engaged in various cooperative activities on several issues. ESCAP is providing essential technical support for the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) connectivity project.

ESCAP is also assisting in building the Asian Highway Network and implementing the Cross-Border Paperless Trade System.

Additionally, ESCAP is providing crucial support to Bangladesh in various fields, including LDC graduation, domestic revenue mobilisation, women's economic empowerment, and disaster risk reduction.

On 26 April, Sheikh Hasina will be formally received by her Thai host Srettha Thavisin, and a ceremonial guard of honour will be accorded to her.

On the same day, she will hold bilateral talks with Thavisin at the Government House.

During the visit, the prime minister will have a royal audience with Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Palace.

Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, and the PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will accompany the premier, as reported by the news agency UNB.

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu will also be part of the Bangladesh delegation.