Economic prosperity through enhanced connectivity between SL, B’desh

DHAKA: Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed expressed optimism that both bilateral and regional arrangements such as SAARC and BIMSTEC will help to take the relations between the two countries to a greater height.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday called on the Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh caretaker government, Fakhruddin Ahmed at his office. Minister Bogollagama accompanied by a 20 member delegation is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of the Bangladesh government.

During the meeting the two sides agreed to review and expand the existing relations. The discussion between the two leaders focused on bilateral trade, investment and economic relations.

The Minister also called on the Advisor on Foreign Affairs and held bilateral consultations. The two leaders underlined the need to revive the economic relations to give wider dimension to the overall bilateral relations and suggested ways and means to achieve it.

It was decided to expand and diversify the product base for Trade between the two countries. The Bangladeshi Advisor on Foreign Affairs informed that Jute industry in Bangladesh is open for Foreign Investment and joint ventures.

The two leaders emphasised that to achieve economic prosperity there should be enhanced connectivity between the two countries. In this regard the Bangladeshi side agreed to host a meeting in Bangladesh on revising the existing commercial agreement on air services.

Matters relating to SAARC and intra regional trade also featured in the discussion.

Minister Bogollagama thanked the Bangladeshi government for donating the Sacred Hair Relics of The Buddha to Sri Lanka which he said that will not only strengthen the bilateral relations but also long remembered by the Sri Lankan people.

Ministers Bandula Gunawardena and Pandu Bandaranaike, Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Bangladesh V. Krishnamoorthy, Foreign Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary T.B. Maduwegedara Director General South Asia and SAARC Grace Asirwatham were also present.

Minister Bogollagama addressed a business forum in Dhaka, jointly organised by Sri Lanka High Commission and the Bangladesh -Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the business opportunities and investment potential in Sri Lanka.