Dhaka:Nepal's Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari met with Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives (LGRD) at the Bangladesh secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting involved discussions on a range of mutual interests. Ambassador Bhandari noted the similarities between Bangladesh and Nepal in various sectors such as politics, culture, and economics. He emphasized the potential for cooperation in education, citing that over 2,500 Nepali students are currently studying medicine in Bangladesh, with opportunities for further expansion.
The Ambassador highlighted the recent catastrophic floods in Nepal, which require approximately 5 billion US dollars for reconstruction efforts, and solicited Bangladesh's comprehensive support. In response, Dr. Moyeen Khan reiterated Nepal's status as a trusted ally and assured Bangladesh's willingness to provide necessary assistance.
Furthermore, the meeting underscored the significance of regional cooperation, with Dr. Khan calling for Nepal's support in revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He stressed that collective regional voices on global issues such as trade and climate change would yield more effective outcomes.
Dr. Khan also pointed to the trade potential between the two countries, advocating for an increase in trade through regional and bilateral agreements. He mentioned that enhanced regional trade could lead to reduced transportation costs and better pricing of goods.
Both parties expressed their commitment to strengthening and diversifying their bilateral relations in the future.