Five bilateral agreements have been signed between Bangladesh and Thailand regarding visa exemption, energy, tourism, customs, and free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations on Friday.
Following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at Government House (the Thai Prime Minister’s office), the Agreement, three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and a Letter of Intent (LOI) were signed in Bangkok in the presence of Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Srettha Thavisin of Thailand.
The documents include a letter of intent to start talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) by 2024, an agreement on visa exemption for holders of official passports, memorandums of understanding on energy cooperation, cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, and cooperation in the tourism industry.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud of Bangladesh signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on energy cooperation and tourism cooperation, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan signed an agreement on visa exemption, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu signed a letter of intent (LOI), and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem signed a second MoU on mutual assistance in customs matters.
During a joint news conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed signing the bilateral documents. She stated that both countries have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on the subject and that they have decided to start FTA discussions by 2024.
According to her, the two nations signed the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Official Passport Holders to facilitate
“MoUs on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters was signed to benefit from Thai knowledge, experiences, and the final MoU in the field of tourism was inked to benefit from the best tourism practices,” the Premier stated, adding that the MoU on energy cooperation was inked to explore the potential of energy cooperation.
At the joint news conference, the Prime Minister of Thailand stated that Bangladesh and Thailand are dedicated to collaborating on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and conveyed hope that the Letter of Intent would facilitate the acceleration of the negotiation process.
The premier of Bangladesh came here on an official six-day visit on 24th April at her Thai counterpart’s invitation.
