DHAKA, Oct 8, 2020 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today
sought Thai investment in the Special Economic Zones in Bangladesh
where state of the art facilities and one stop services (OSS) are
provided.
The foreign minister made the urge as the outgoing ambassador of
Thailand to Bangladesh Arunrung Phothong Humphreys paid a farewell
call on him at his minister office here, said a press release.
Noting that Thailand is Bangladesh’s trusted friend and partner
with which Bangladesh enjoys strong bilateral relations since
independence, he said, “Thailand is an advanced economy and a
development hub in the Asia Pacific region. Bangladesh’s foreign
policy priority is building physical connectivity and people-to-people
contacts with that country”.
Pointing out that both the countries are fellow members of
different international organizations including BIMSTEC, Momen said,
there are common strategic interests on a wide range of issues such as
sustainable development, poverty alleviation, climate change
adaptation and disaster management.
Considering the popularity of Thailand as a destination for medical
tourism, he said that it would be a win-win situation if Thai
entrepreneurs set up joint venture hospitals in Bangladesh.
Foreign minister thanked the Thai envy for arranging the special
flights between Dhaka and Bangkok and for responding positively to
requests for medical evacuations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ambassador Humphreys informed that trade, connectivity, energy and
development cooperation were key priorities of her mission in Dhaka.
She also informed the minister that a three-year development
programme is in the process of implementation with funding from
Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA).
Noting that agro-processing, rural development, environmental
protection, women empowerment and human resource development are focus
areas of the proposed TICA project, Humphreys said, informing that she
would advise her successor to organize senior level visits between the
two countries once the COVID crisis is over.
She noted that Thailand has already a significant investment
presence in Bangladesh and expressed the hope that the negotiators of
both countries would finalize the draft of the proposed Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) and the two countries would be able to sign it soon.
Momen thanked Thailand for the humanitarian support extended to the
Rohingyas and sought a pro-active role from both ASEAN and Thailand on
the repatriation issue.
He said that if the 1.1 million Rohingya people are left unattended
and not given the opportunity to return to their homeland they would
jeopardize regional and international security.
The foreign minister suggested that the ASEAN countries should in a
body put pressure on Myanmar so that conducive environment is created
in the Rakhine State and the Rohingyas can return home immediately.
Humphreys assured to flag Dhaka’s concerns on the Rohingya issues
to the Thai government as well as the ASEAN leadership and expressed
that this problem would be resolved soon.
She thanked the Bangladesh foreign minister for the support extended
to her mission during her assignment in Dhaka.
Momen sought Thailand’s support on Bangladesh’s candidature for
ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner status.
Later, the Thai envoy also separately called on the State Minister
for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin
Momen.