Dhaka prepares list of export items for duty-free access to Indian market: FM
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday said Bangladesh is preparing a list of export items for duty-free access to Indian market following her recent discussion here with Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, reports UNB.
At a formal press briefing first after assuming the office, she said the Bangladesh side also sought information and statistics from the Indian side about the construction of a barrage at the Tipaimukh river, which would have huge adverse impact on Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister said the Indian side assured that they would not go for any work that might cause adverse ecological and other impacts on Bangladesh.
On maritime boundary talks recently held in New Delhi, she said India has agreed on Bangladesh's proposal of equitable principle for demarcating the territorial waters and talks will continue.
About the reported uncertainty of holding SAARC summit, Dipu Moni and Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain said the summit was scheduled to be held in the Maldives, but Maldives has not yet confirmed it.
Dipu Moni said the summit will be held but date and venue were not finalised.
Asked if Bangladesh faces image problem due to militancy, she said it is not a problem for this country alone, many countries across the globe are facing the problem. Since it is a global problem, it should be faced jointly to resolve the causes of militancy.
Asked about US Ambassador James Moriarty's letter to the Home Minister regarding foreign travel restrictions on some opposition politicians, Dipu Moni said she is not aware of the letter.
Explaining Moriarty's remarks that it would take time to complete investigation into BDR mutiny, she said the Commerce Minister and she attended a meeting with the FBI representatives and the US Ambassador where they mainly explained the process of the investigation.
They had observed that it might take time to complete the investigation since many people are to be interviewed to get a complete picture of the incident.
At a formal press briefing first after assuming the office, she said the Bangladesh side also sought information and statistics from the Indian side about the construction of a barrage at the Tipaimukh river, which would have huge adverse impact on Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister said the Indian side assured that they would not go for any work that might cause adverse ecological and other impacts on Bangladesh.
On maritime boundary talks recently held in New Delhi, she said India has agreed on Bangladesh's proposal of equitable principle for demarcating the territorial waters and talks will continue.
About the reported uncertainty of holding SAARC summit, Dipu Moni and Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain said the summit was scheduled to be held in the Maldives, but Maldives has not yet confirmed it.
Dipu Moni said the summit will be held but date and venue were not finalised.
Asked if Bangladesh faces image problem due to militancy, she said it is not a problem for this country alone, many countries across the globe are facing the problem. Since it is a global problem, it should be faced jointly to resolve the causes of militancy.
Asked about US Ambassador James Moriarty's letter to the Home Minister regarding foreign travel restrictions on some opposition politicians, Dipu Moni said she is not aware of the letter.
Explaining Moriarty's remarks that it would take time to complete investigation into BDR mutiny, she said the Commerce Minister and she attended a meeting with the FBI representatives and the US Ambassador where they mainly explained the process of the investigation.
They had observed that it might take time to complete the investigation since many people are to be interviewed to get a complete picture of the incident.