PM to leave for Thailand tomorrow

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a six-day official visit to Thailand from tomorrow (Wednesday) at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Bangladesh and Thailand will sign five bilateral instruments, including one agreement, three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and one Letter of Intent, during the visit, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters at a media briefing on Monday, report agencies.

According to the foreign minister the instruments will cover a range of topics, including a Letter of Intent regarding negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

An agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders, an MoU on energy cooperation, and two more MoUs on cooperation in the tourism sector and duty-related mutual cooperation will also be signed.

The foreign minister said the visit will create opportunity to review the potential "Free Trade Agreement" between the two countries for the expansion of trade and increase in import and export.

During the visit, Hasan said Dhaka will strongly raise the issue of Bangladesh's appeal to become a 'Sectoral Dialogue Partner' of the ASEAN.

"The visit is significant for both sides as it will open a new window of cooperation between two friendly countries (Bangladesh and Thailand), " he said.

"It's both bilateral and multilateral visit," he said while responding to a question.

He said Bangladesh will also seek support from Thailand regarding Rohingya repatriation.

The foreign minister said the issue of shipping connectivity will also be discussed. "I am very much interested to raise the issue."

He said Bangladesh will also seek increased investment from Thailand.

The PM would lead a high level delegation which includes a number of ministers, advisers, secretaries and senior officials of the government.

Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will accompany the prime minister during April 24-29 visit.

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu will also be part of the Bangladesh delegation.

On April 26, PM Hasina will be formally received by her Thai host Srettha Thavisin while a ceremonial guard of honor will be accorded to her.

On the same day, the Bangladesh premier will hold bilateral talks with PM Thavisin at the Government House.

During the visit, the prime minister will have a Royal audience of Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalal-akshan, King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Palace.

In her multilateral engagement PM Hasina is scheduled to attend the 80th Session of the Commission for UNESCAP.

She will deliver a speech at UNESCAP on April 25. On the same day, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjabana will call on the prime minister.