Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday laid emphasis on signing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bangladesh and Nepal for their mutual benefits.
Sheikh Hasina also sought cooperation in the field of trade and commerce for tapping the potentials of the two neighbouring countries.
Hasina made the observations when she met visiting Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. “The PTA will be beneficial for the two countries,” he quoted the prime minister as saying.
Welcoming the Nepali President to Bangladesh, the prime minister recalled with gratitude the moral and material support of Nepal during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 when Nepal supplied arms to freedom fighters.
About climate change, Hasina said she always mentions Nepal as a climate vulnerable country.
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Hasina offered Nepal, a landlocked country, the facility to use Chittagong and Mongla ports, and Syedpur Airport. “We’re upgrading Syedpur Airport into a regional one.”
She mentioned the BBIN connectivity saying that this would help increase the trade and commerce among Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and India.
Hasina said Bangladesh, Nepal and India can set up hydroelectric power plants through mutual cooperation which will be better for all the three countries.
She also said many Nepali students are staying in Bangladesh and completing their higher studies.
Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari said she is happy to attend the birth centenary and golden jubilee programs during her maiden visit to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has made remarkable progress under the leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, she said, adding: “We want meaningful cooperation between the two countries.”
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Regarding development of women, Bidya Devi said Bangladesh can be a role model of women participation in national development tasks.
“You [Hasina] are a much inspiring leader in the world and I’m an admirer of you,” she said.
Bidya also lauded the leadership of Hasina.
About sending fertilizer to Nepal recently, the president mentioned that her country got prompt support when they needed the fertilizers urgently.
She put emphasis on Bimstec connectivity and thanked the Bangladeshi prime minister for offering port facilities and using the Syedpur Airport.
Referring to climate change, the Nepai president mentioned that both the countries face adverse impacts of natural disasters.
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“Both the countries can use their resources at the optimum level for their national development,” she said.
Bidya handed over two books – “Unfinished Memoirs of Bangabandhu” and “Karagarer Rojnamcha” – translated into Nepali language to the Hasina.
Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen, Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Principal Secretary to the PM Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, and PMO Secretary Md Tofazzal Hossain Miah, and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen attended the meeting along with the prime minister.
The Nepali president’s daughter Usha Kiran Bhandari, foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Nepal Academy Chancellor Ganga Praad Uprety were present from the Nepal side.
