Talks on Lanka-Bangla direct air, shipping links held
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka decided to intensify talks to establish direct air and shipping links to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation, reports UNB.
A trade delegation from Bangladesh and an aviation team from Sri Lanka will soon visit each other's capital to increase bilateral trade, which is only US$ 39 million, as well as to establish direct shipping and air links to reduce the cost of business.
The agreement was reached at official talks between Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at state guesthouse Padma in the city Tuesday.
After the talks, the foreign adviser told reporters that Sri Lanka wants to import cement, pharmaceuticals and potato from Bangladesh.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister said they had comprehensive discussion on how to enhance economic ties through increasing trade and connectivity.
He said an aviation delegation from Colombo would soon come to Dhaka to resume talks on direct air link between the two countries.
Replying to a question, Bogollagama, however, said the issue of bilateral FTA did not come up for discussion.
He said at present, the bilateral trade is only US$ 39 million. "We need a higher trade and we want to make it visible in terms of our bilateral trade so that we can gradually progress towards FTA."
He said Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would continue cooperation along with other SAARC member countries to fight against terrorism.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister is leading a high-powered delegation that includes Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardne, Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment Minister Pandu Bandaranaike and Highways Minister TB Ekanayake.
A trade delegation from Bangladesh and an aviation team from Sri Lanka will soon visit each other's capital to increase bilateral trade, which is only US$ 39 million, as well as to establish direct shipping and air links to reduce the cost of business.
The agreement was reached at official talks between Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at state guesthouse Padma in the city Tuesday.
After the talks, the foreign adviser told reporters that Sri Lanka wants to import cement, pharmaceuticals and potato from Bangladesh.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister said they had comprehensive discussion on how to enhance economic ties through increasing trade and connectivity.
He said an aviation delegation from Colombo would soon come to Dhaka to resume talks on direct air link between the two countries.
Replying to a question, Bogollagama, however, said the issue of bilateral FTA did not come up for discussion.
He said at present, the bilateral trade is only US$ 39 million. "We need a higher trade and we want to make it visible in terms of our bilateral trade so that we can gradually progress towards FTA."
He said Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would continue cooperation along with other SAARC member countries to fight against terrorism.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister is leading a high-powered delegation that includes Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardne, Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment Minister Pandu Bandaranaike and Highways Minister TB Ekanayake.