Bangladesh and Sri Lanka intensify trade talks

Dhaka, July 17: Bangladesh and Sri Lanka today decided to intensify talks to establish direct air and shipping lines to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

A trade delegation from Bangladesh and an aviation team from Sri Lanka will soon visit each other's capital to increase bilateral trade which is only 39 million dollars as well as establish direct shipping and airline links to reduce the cost of business.

The agreement was reached at official talks between Bangladesh Foreign Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama held here at the state Guesthouse Padma.

After the talks, the Foreign Advisor told reporters that Sri Lanka would look to import cement, pharmaceuticals and potato from Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister said they had a comprehensive discussion on how to enhance economic ties through increased trade and connectivity.

Mr Bogollagama said an aviation delegation from Colombo will soon come to Dhaka to resume talks on direct airlink between the two countries.

In reply to a question, he said issue of bilateral FTA did not come for discussion.

The Sri Lankan Minister added that today the bilateral trade between the countries is only 39 million dollars and ''we need a higher volume of bilateral trade so that we can gradually progress towards FTA''.

According to a statistics of FBCCI, Bangladesh's export to Sri Lanka was 6.90 million dollars while import was 10.84 million dollars during the month of July-December for the fiscal 2006-07.

Mr Bogollagama said Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will continue its co-operation with other SAARC member countries to fight terrorism.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister is leading a high powered delegation that include Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardne, Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment Minister Pandu Bandaranaike and Highways Minister T B Ekanayake.

UNI