SL-B'desh FMs discuss bilateral ties, cooperation

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris met his Bangladeshi counterpart Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen in Dhaka yesterday (15).

FM Peiris expressed warm appreciation for the consistent support which Sri Lanka received from Bangladesh in international fora especially at the Human Rights Council and the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.

The two Ministers also discussed the active bilateral commercial relationship, with Sri Lankan investment into Bangladesh being in the region of approximately USD 2.5 billion.

About 110 Sri Lankan companies are operating in Bangladesh and are excelling especially in the services sector such as insurance, banking and power.

There is scope for improvement of the volume of trade which is presently at the level of USD 200 million annually.

Sri Lanka is keen on a Preferential Trading Agreement with Bangladesh and is happy that technical negotiations have commenced and are proceeding, he said.

There is particular interest in cooperation in the field of shipping because of Sri Lanka’s focus as a shipping hub and would like to strengthen cooperation between the ports of Chittagong in Bangladesh and the ports of Colombo and Hambantota.

Emphasis was made in particular on the feeder services and coastal shipping arrangements.

Cooperation between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka regarding a transshipment hub would be beneficial to Bangladesh because of the reduction of time and nautical miles.

A substantial number of Sri Lankan students are receiving their education in Bangladesh with Chittagong being popular among medical students.

Sri Lanka has reciprocally offered to assist with the training of nurses of Bangladesh in educational institutions.

In regard to tourism, direct connectivity between Colombo and Dhaka is helpful and the Bangladesh Minister intimated the interest of a private Bangladesh airline in operating flights to Colombo.

The two Ministers discussed in detail the cooperation between the two countries, within the framework of the IORA with particular reference to conservation of marine resources and security dimensions.