DHAKA: Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Tarik Ahsan met the deputy foreign minister Dr Harsha De Silva in Colombo on November 9.

During the meeting, the Bangladesh high commissioner sought support of the deputy minister in the endeavor for further enhancing bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a press release said.

While assuring of his cooperation, Dr Silva stressed the need of strengthening relations in the economic domain, particularly in boosting and diversifying trade between the two countries.

The high commissioner indicated that there is good prospect of increasing import of pharmaceuticals, plastics, home appliances, electronics, footwear, iron & steel, ocean-going ships, vegetables and so on from Bangladesh to Sri Lanka.

The meeting attached importance to progress of the process of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade with the aim of concluding an FTA or PTA between the two countries.

The meeting recognized the significance of enhanced connectivity in promoting economic and social ties between the two countries. They expressed satisfaction at the holding of the Joint Study Group (JSG) on Shipping held in Colombo on 5-6 November.

The two sides concurred on the need of early completion of the ongoing negotiations on a number of agreements and MoUs between the two countries ahead of high-level visits from Sri Lanka to Bangladesh expected early next year.

This was the first one-on-one meeting between the newly appointed deputy foreign minister Dr Silva and the High Commission.

The High Commissioner was accompanied by counselor of the high commission, Muhammad Sakib Sadakat.

BDST: 1827 HRS, Nov 09, 2015
RR/SMS