Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has called for introducing regular commercial and cruise shipping services between Chattogram and Colombo ports to enhance trade and tourism between the two countries.
He also underscored the necessity of affordable air ticket prices with enhanced air connectivity in participation with more airlines of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, according to a press release of the foreign ministry.
The issues were discussed when Momen paid a courtesy call on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Palace in Colombo yesterday.
The foreign minister is now visiting Sri Lanka to attend the 5th BIMSTEC Summit.
The president, meanwhile, offered greater use of the Colombo port by Bangladesh for transportation of Bangladeshi trade goods.
Rajapaksa deeply appreciated the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the policy of collective prosperity with a special focus on counter-terrorism and violent extremism.
Momen urged the president to take joint initiatives to fully utilise the trade potential between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
He offered the government of Sri Lanka to explore the possibilities of importing pharmaceuticals and agro products, including potatoes from Bangladesh.
Both sides welcomed the progress made for the early conclusion of a bilateral preferential trade agreement for the enhancement and facilitation of bilateral trade.
They also discussed the possible new areas of cooperation, including food security, ICT, health care, and the blue economy.
Both sides also agreed to expedite and complete the negotiations and approval process of pending bilateral instruments for the greater benefit of the people of the two countries and to increase bilateral engagements.
Rajapaksa thanked Bangladesh for its continued support in various multilateral forums and both sides further agreed to closely work together in the future. Momen reiterated his request for the continued support of Sri Lanka for the immediate repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their home country with safety and dignity.
