Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday sought support from the elites of Thai society for Dhaka’s efforts to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Bangladesh has planned to join Asean as a sectoral dialogue partner, but the chief adviser said the ultimate goal is to become a full member of the key regional group.
"That is where our future is,” he told Thai dignitaries at a breakfast meeting in a Bangkok hotel.
Yunus said Bangladesh believes in multilateralism and is a proud member of Saarc and Bimstec.
He said regional groups should step up their efforts to foster economic growth and bring people closer.
Thai leaders, including former Thailand prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, a former deputy prime minister, top business leaders, bankers, academics, and civil society leaders, joined the meeting.
The chief adviser said Bangladesh hopes to receive support from top Asean nations, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, for its membership bid.
He also stressed greater collaboration between the peoples of Thailand and Bangladesh, saying both nations share similar histories and challenges.
"This will be the beginning of the relationship we want to build," he said, referring to the meeting.
The chief adviser also weighed in on recent developments in global trade, saying: "We need greater collaboration. Can we rethink a new business model?"
He highlighted recent changes in Bangladesh and the student-led July uprising, which toppled a brutal dictatorship and helped usher in a new era in the country.