Bangladesh, Sri Lanka to revive JEC

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COLOMBO, Aug 01 (UNB): Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have agreed to revive and reactivate Joint Economic Commission (JEC) to boost trade relations between the two South Asian countries.

Identical views were expressed while Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse had bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo.

The meeting was held at the President's Secretariat this (Friday) morning.

Responding to the Sri Lankan President, Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin said he would ask the Foreign Ministry to start process to revive the JEC.

The CA passed a busy day in Sri Lanka as he had also bilateral meetings with President of Maldives Mamoon Abdul Gayoom and Prime Minister of Nepal Girija Prasad Koirala.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher also called on the CA.

The CA said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relation with Sri Lanka based on common culture and heritage.

He said operation of air services between Dhaka and Colombo in private sector would further expand trade relations and people-to-people contact.

Fakhruddin also emphasised quick ratification of Shipping Agreement between the two countries to expand business and economic ties.

During the meeting election and issues related to mutual interests also came up.

The Sri Lankan president thanked Bangladesh government for recently handing over sacred hair of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka.