After the resolution of land and maritime boundary issues with the neighbouring countries, it is high time to expand mutual trade and business relations and work together for peaceful coexistence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said yesterday.
“We want to build such relations with neighbours that would ensure our peaceful coexistence and at the same time every country, big or small, can live with dignity as an independent and sovereign nation,” she said at a reception accorded to her by Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
The FBCCI accorded the reception to the prime minister on her successful leadership in culminating Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with India in light of the historic Mujib-Indira Accord signed in 1974 and resolve the longstanding problems of the people of the enclaves across the Indian border.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali also spoke on the occasion, among others.
President of FBCCI Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed presented the prime minister with flowers and delivered the welcome speech.
Terming the LBA as one of the most important instruments for Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said the agreement with India is a milestone in the relations between the two counties. The agreement would resolve 68 years of woes of the people in the enclaves and pave the way for their development.
“The agreement has also opened up new scope to expedite our efforts for putting in place better connectivity with neighbours, creating business opportunity and prosper together. Digital technology also eased the trade and business between the two countries,” she said.
The prime minister urged the business community to take the opportunity of good relations with neighbouring countries and work together to strengthen trade ties to make the country’s economy stronger.
Pointing out her government’s constant efforts to resolve all contentious bilateral issues with India including the Ganges Water Sharing Agreement and Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty, the prime minister said her government had to overcome many hurdles and false propaganda by a vested quarter while signing the deals.