The operationalisation of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) framework has been emphasised by Bangladesh and Nepal as a way to support the economies of each country by increasing trade and connectivity as well as by generating more chances to foster people-to-people interactions.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh also stressed the need for a tripartite power deal between Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to be concluded as soon as possible. This will enable Bangladesh to import power from Nepal.
The topics were covered at yesterday’s third session of Bangladesh-Nepal Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), which took place in Kathmandu.
During the consultations, the Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, while Nepali delegation was led by Sewa Lamsal, foreign secretary of Nepal. Ambassadors of both countries and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The entire spectrum of bilateral ties has been studied during the FOC. The two foreign secretaries conveyed their satisfaction regarding the good bilateral relations that Nepal and Bangladesh have.
They resolved to foster collaboration spanning all sectors, including trade and commerce, transit and connectivity, the power and energy sector, tourism, culture, and education, after discussing all the important issues of shared interest. The foreign secretary of Bangladesh expressed gratitude to the Nepalese government for providing land for the building of the Lumbini monastery.
He added that it would be a milestone between “our relations and enhance people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and Nepal in the days ahead”.
Sewa Lamsal stressed the exploration of the untapped potential in economic, cultural and educational areas and proposed to establish meaningful collaborative partnerships including in the private sector.
She indicated that Nepal would like to work with Bangladesh on increasing commerce and investment. She urged the Bangladeshi side to look into investment prospects in Nepal, particularly in the field of hydropower.
Additionally, she requested the Bangladeshi government to do away with the Other Duties and Charges (ODCs) that are now applied to Nepali goods that are exported to Bangladesh.
The exchange of visits at all levels was underlined by the foreign secretary of Nepal. Mutually beneficial regional concerns were considered by both parties. The foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and Nepal also inked an agreement between the Foreign Service Institute of Nepal and the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh.
In the afternoon, Masud Bin Momen paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar.
During the meeting, discussions were held on issues of mutual interest between Nepal and Bangladesh.
The next FOC will take place in Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
