news today on 14/02/2008
Dhaka to import rice, gas from Yangon
Bangladesh has made a package of proposals to Myanmar including import of 300,000 metric tons of rice, buying gas, delimiting maritime boundary, repatriation of Rohingya refugees and easing visa regime during a bilateral consultation in Yangon, reports UNB.
The 3rd Foreign Office Consultation between Bangladesh and Myanmar took place in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on Tuesday. Foreign Secretary M Touhid Hossain led the Bangladesh side while Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Kyaw Thu headed the Myanmar side at the meeting.
A release from Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon said the two sides discussed all bilateral issues including Rohingya refugee repatriation, direct road link project, border management, trade and investment, border trade, contract farming, import of rice, gas and hydroelectric power, and the issue relating to maritime boundary delimitation between the two countries.
The meeting was told that rice from the Rakhine state was being exported to Bangladesh and facilitating non-conventional coastal shipping would boost such exports.
The two sides agreed to remove barriers to trade by improving banking arrangements, allowing businessmen to travel more freely to Sittwe for up to two weeks and to increase the validity of border passes from three to seven days on recommendation from Chambers of Commerce. One-year continuous stay for businessmen in Myanmar would also be considered.
Myanmar side also agreed to consider purchase of gas by Bangladesh. The two sides agreed to take necessary steps for renewing the coastal shipping agreement to facilitate trade.
Bangladesh delegation also included Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Major General Abu Roshde Rokonuddawla, Defence Attache'' Brig General ANM Showkat Jamal, Counsellor Sultana Laila Hossain, Commercial Counsellor Aftabuzzaman and Director, Foreign Ministry, Tareq Ahmed.
Myanmar delegation was composed of Myanmar Foreign Ministry Director General Phae Than Oo, Kyaw Tin, Deputy Director General, Aung Ba Kyu, Director, Min Lwin, Director General, Consular and Legal Affairs, Tint Thuin, Director, Ministry of Commerce, Khin Maung, Superintending Engineer, Ministry of Construction, Hthay Hling, Director, Immigration, and Maung Maung Khin, NPED, Myanmar.
Later, Touhid Hossain called on Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win at his office and informed the Myanmar Foreign Minister of the issues discussed during the consultation.
Nyan Win assured that he would do his best so that progress could be made keeping in view the interests of both the countries.
Touhid proposed to import 300,000 metric tons of rice from Myanmar every year. This was favorably received by the Myanmar Foreign Minister.
The Foreign Minister informed that Myanmar has one million metric tons of surplus rice for export per annum and exporting 300,000 metric tons of rice to Bangladesh on regular basis should not be a problem.
The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to meet with the Deputy Minister for Transport, the Deputy Minister for Construction and the Deputy Minister for Commerce at their offices in Nay Pyi Taw.
The 3rd Foreign Office Consultation between Bangladesh and Myanmar took place in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on Tuesday. Foreign Secretary M Touhid Hossain led the Bangladesh side while Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Kyaw Thu headed the Myanmar side at the meeting.
A release from Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon said the two sides discussed all bilateral issues including Rohingya refugee repatriation, direct road link project, border management, trade and investment, border trade, contract farming, import of rice, gas and hydroelectric power, and the issue relating to maritime boundary delimitation between the two countries.
The meeting was told that rice from the Rakhine state was being exported to Bangladesh and facilitating non-conventional coastal shipping would boost such exports.
The two sides agreed to remove barriers to trade by improving banking arrangements, allowing businessmen to travel more freely to Sittwe for up to two weeks and to increase the validity of border passes from three to seven days on recommendation from Chambers of Commerce. One-year continuous stay for businessmen in Myanmar would also be considered.
Myanmar side also agreed to consider purchase of gas by Bangladesh. The two sides agreed to take necessary steps for renewing the coastal shipping agreement to facilitate trade.
Bangladesh delegation also included Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Major General Abu Roshde Rokonuddawla, Defence Attache'' Brig General ANM Showkat Jamal, Counsellor Sultana Laila Hossain, Commercial Counsellor Aftabuzzaman and Director, Foreign Ministry, Tareq Ahmed.
Myanmar delegation was composed of Myanmar Foreign Ministry Director General Phae Than Oo, Kyaw Tin, Deputy Director General, Aung Ba Kyu, Director, Min Lwin, Director General, Consular and Legal Affairs, Tint Thuin, Director, Ministry of Commerce, Khin Maung, Superintending Engineer, Ministry of Construction, Hthay Hling, Director, Immigration, and Maung Maung Khin, NPED, Myanmar.
Later, Touhid Hossain called on Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win at his office and informed the Myanmar Foreign Minister of the issues discussed during the consultation.
Nyan Win assured that he would do his best so that progress could be made keeping in view the interests of both the countries.
Touhid proposed to import 300,000 metric tons of rice from Myanmar every year. This was favorably received by the Myanmar Foreign Minister.
The Foreign Minister informed that Myanmar has one million metric tons of surplus rice for export per annum and exporting 300,000 metric tons of rice to Bangladesh on regular basis should not be a problem.
The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to meet with the Deputy Minister for Transport, the Deputy Minister for Construction and the Deputy Minister for Commerce at their offices in Nay Pyi Taw.
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