The World Trade Organization (WTO) has asked Bangladesh to reduce its subsidies for fisheries.
The call came from Dr Okonjo Iwela, director general of the WTO, on Thursday, when she called on visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the meeting room of Hotel President Wilson in Switzerland.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters on the outcome of the meeting afterwards.
He quoted the WTO chief as saying that her organization would like to sign an agreement with Bangladesh in this regard.
“We said we will consider this (the issue of subsidy)," said Momen, adding that Bangladesh does not give heavy subsidies to the fisheries sector anyhow.
The WTO chief mentioned the dispute settlement body of the organization, which has remained inactive for a couple of years due to some big countries.
Dr Iwela requested the Bangladeshi prime minister to raise the issue when she goes to the G20 meeting to be held in September in New Delhi and other international forums, according to Momen.
“This is the main strength of the WTO,” she was quoted as telling the prime minister.
The WTO director general asked Bangladesh to diversify its export basket.
In this connection, she wanted Bangladesh to put emphasis on the pharmaceuticals and IT sector, reducing dependency on RMG exports, the key foreign-exchange earner of the country.
Regarding fishing in the deep sea, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh lacks capabilities in this sector.
She put emphasis on learning from the experience of Japan, Thailand and the Maldives in deep-sea fishing. The prime minister said she has already talked with the Maldives and Japan in this regard.
Earlier, Qatar's Labour Minister Dr Ali Bin Samik Al Marri called on the prime minister at the same venue.
He said there are some 370,000 Bangladeshis working in his country. He said they are satisfied with the performance of the Bangladeshi workers.
“Qatar has expressed their interest to take more manpower from Bangladesh. They will ink an agreement for this purpose,” Momen said.