Join India-Myanmar-Thailand connectivity, Thein urges BD

NAY PYI TAW (Myanmar), Mar 3 (UNB): Myanmar President Thein Sein requested Monday the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to join the India-Myanmar-Thailand connectivity system.

He said it would help these countries to increase the trade among the neighbouring countries.

He expressed the view while holding a meeting with Sheikh Hasina at the Presidential Palace here.

Hasina is now in Myanmar's capital on a two-day visit to attend the third BIMSTEC Summit to be held Tuesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the Myanmar refugee problem should be resolved through peaceful and amicable bilateral discussion between the two friendly neighbouring countries.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Prime Minister's special assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil said that in the hour-long meeting in cordial atmosphere, the two leaders discussed various issues of common concern in bilateral as well as international matters.

Hasina said Bangladesh gives priority on maintaining stability in the region to ensure sustainable development.

Terming Myanmar as one of the closest neighbouring countries, she said Bangladesh puts emphasis on further strengthening development cooperation and economic relations with Myanmar.

Terming poverty as the main enemy of the region, the Prime Minister said inter-state connectivity could play a significant role to alleviate poverty and such initiatives would be beneficial for all countries of the region.

She said Bangladeshi business communities are interested in investing in Myanmar, particularly in the food processing sector.

Laying emphasis on strengthening bilateral trade - very much insignificant so far, Hasina said increased trade would strengthen the economy of the two countries.

She mentioned that Myanmar is progressing very fast under the able leadership of President Thein Sein.

The Prime Minister invited Myanmar's President to visit Bangladesh at his convenience. Thanking for the invitation, Thein Sein said he would visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi-the two leading ladies of the two neighbouring countries who are working to give democracy a firm footing in their respective countries-met here Monday.

The political history of the two countries gave the two women a great similarity, but the fate did not give them the chance to meet until today.

Both the ladies lost their fathers to assassins, and they joined politics after the assassination of their fathers. Both fought against military rulers for long to establish democracy in their respective countries.

The meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Aung San Suu Kyi was held in the afternoon when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh went to Myanmar's Parliament building.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the chairperson of the National League for Democracy, welcomed Hasina and showed utmost cordiality to the Prime Minister of the neighboring country.

The two leaders had a half-hour meeting where they discussed many issues of common interest and concern to the two countries.

PM's Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said Suu Kyi at the meeting said both of them-Hasina and Suu Kyi-crossed a long path of struggle and movement for democracy.

Suu Kyi mentioned that Bangladesh has been an example in developing the fate of poor people, particularly the rural women and children.

In this regard, she said, Myanmar can follow the path Bangladesh achieved in the sector as it now has become a source of inspiration in poverty alleviation.

The democracy icon lauded the role of Sheikh Hasina for the development of women and children and said 'One House One Firm', 'Ghore Fera' and 'Asrayan Project' are some of the remarkable examples of the government of Sheikh Hasina which played a significant role in poverty reduction. Such successful projects are pursuance for any country, she added.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister said her government has emphasised developing the fate of the rural women and children to ensure their economic emancipation.

During the time, Aung Suun Suu Kyi also introduced 'Saving Box' programmes in her electoral areas, inspired by Bangladesh's initiatives.