Bangladesh and Thailand today struck five
bilateral documents for visa exemption, cooperation on energy, tourism and
custom matters and negotiation of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the
two countries.
The documents — an agreement, three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and
a Letter of Intent (LOI)– were inked in presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina and Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Bangkok
following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at Government
House (Thai Prime Minister’s Office) here.
The documents are agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official
Passports, MoUs on Energy Cooperation, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters and Cooperation in the field of tourism and LOI to commence
negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024.
Two MoUs on energy cooperation and tourism cooperation were signed by Foreign
Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud from the Bangladesh side while agreement on Visa
Exemption by Home Minister Asadu
zzaman Khan, LOI by State Minister for
Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu and another MoU on Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters signed by National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem.
Talking about signing the bilateral documents at a joint press conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the two sides agreed to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024 and the two countries have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on the issue.
She said the two countries signed the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders
of Official Passports to facilitate smooth contact between Thai and
Bangladeshi officials.
MoU on energy cooperation was inked to explore the potential of energy
cooperation, the Premier said, adding: “MoUs on Cooperation and Mutual
Assistance in Customs Matters was signed to benefit from Thai knowledge,
experiences and the final MoU in the field of tourism was inked to benefit
from the best tourism practices.”
The Thai Prime Minister, at the joint
press conference, said Thailand and
Bangladesh are committed to working together towards a Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) and expressed optimism that the Letter of Intent would help to expedite
the negotiation process.
He said the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports
will facilitate more travel between Thai and Bangladeshi officials while the
MoU on Energy Cooperation will help materialize the two countries’ true
potential from energy cooperation.
Besides, the MoU on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters will
lead to effective border control and anti-smuggling operations while the MoU
on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism will allow the two countries to
exchange knowledge, experiences and best practices in the areas, he added.
On her arrival at the Government House, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina was accorded a warm welcome at the front lawn of Thai Kooh Fah
Building there as red carpet was rolled out.
She inspected the Guard of Honor given by a sma
rtly turned-out contingent of
the Thai armed forces.
Srettha Thavisin introduced his cabinet members to Sheikh Hasina before she
signed the guest book of the Government House.
The premier also joined an official luncheon there before leaving the House.
Before joining the luncheon, Sheikh Hasina visited a Thai handicrafts
exhibition at the Government House. She was accompanied by her younger sister
Sheikh Rehana and Bangabandhu’s grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq.
On April 24, the Bangladesh premier arrived here on a six-day official visit
at the invitation of her Thai counterpart.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha