Thailand to support Bangladesh becoming Mekong-Ganges Forum member

Thailand today assured Bangladesh of extending support in its race to become a member of the regional bodies including Mekong-Ganges Cooperation Forum and East West Economic Corridor.

Visiting Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai gave the assurance at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here today.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The Thai foreign minister also assured of supporting Bangladesh to be the sectoral partner of the ASEAN.

Thai foreign minister paid tributes to Bangabandhu and thanked the prime minister for commissioning Bangabandhu Chair at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand.

The Chair will be inaugurated jointly by the foreign ministers of the two countries, the press secretary said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to late King of Thailand Bhumibol-Adulyadej and reiterated her felicitation to new King Moha Vajira Long Korn on his accession to the throne.

She said Thailand has so far invested US$ 1.5 billion in Bangladesh in various sectors while annual bilateral trade between the two countries now stands around US$ 1 billion.

Don Pramudwnai apprised the prime minister of the experimental 'goat project' of Thailand initiated by Thai Princess Sirin Dhron with Bangladeshi 'black Bengal species.

The prime minister recalled the visit of Thai princess in Bangladesh in 2010 saying she will be happy to receive her again at the beginning of the next year.

Sheikh Hasina extended her thanks to Thai government for selling two lakh metric tons of rice on G2G basis. Bangladesh has no food crisis, she said adding Bangladesh wants to import the food in the wake of a flood like situation.

The prime minister laid importance on boosting bilateral trade between the two countries and invited Thai investors in Special Economic Zones specially in agro-processing zones and tourism sector.

Thai foreign minister laid importance on exchange of higher level visits and invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Thailand in her convenient.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Senior PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem and Thai Ambassador to Dhaka Panpimon Suwannapongse were present, among others.

Source: bss