Bangladesh, Belarus sign MoUs to forge deeper economic ties
Dhaka, May 24 (UNB) - Bangladesh and Belarus signed two MoUs on Thursday on cooperation in Agriculture and Food, and establishment of Foreign Minister-level Joint Commission.
The instruments were signed in Minsk at the conclusion of the first ever visit of Foreign Minister Dipu Moni to Belarus, according to a release of the Foreign Ministry.
On the concluding day of the three-day visit, the Foreign Minister called on Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko and discussed ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
The MoU on the establishment of a Foreign Minister-level Joint Commission was signed to deal with cooperation in all bilateral areas, including education, culture, agriculture, investment, trade, and visa exemption for officials.
Dipu Moni told the press that there are a number of areas where Bangladeshi business and industry would find Belarus a very competitive source of materials in terms of cost and technology as well global standards.
She said that with Belarus being a part of the Russia-Kazakhstan led Customs Union, entry of frozen foods, pharma products, jute and jute goods, RMG and textiles into the Customs Union can afford Bangladesh industries find new market as well as secure a strategic foothold in the neighbouring European Union.
Dipu Moni also held discussion with Belarus Prime Minister Mikhail
Myasnikovich, who served as chair of the Belarus National Academy of Science.
She also held official talks with her counterpart Sergei Martynov. During the discussions, the Belarus side expressed deep interest in engaging with Bangladesh and to establish joint ventures in the private sector.
They agreed that by the end of 2012, legal instruments on investment protection and promotion as well as double tax avoidance could be signed to give effect to the Bilateral Trade and Economic Cooepration Agreement that was signed in 2007.
The two sides also agreed that the existing MoU between the two apex chambers of Bangladesh and Belarus should be given effect to complement the Trade Agreement.
Currently, Bangladesh imports around 400,000 metric tons of potash fertiliser and a small quantity of small-sized agricultural tractors from Belarus, which is worth around US$ 120 million.
Belarus side also expressed interest, among others, in the pharmaceutical import from Bangladesh as they import around US$ 600 million each year.
The two ministers also agreed to expedite conclusion of MoUs/Agreement of cooperation in education, culture, science & technology.
Both sides agreed that the two countries can benefit from cooperation in the tourism sector.
In that direction, Martynov welcomed Bangladeshi students for higher studies in Belarusian Universities which offer degree courses in English.
Belarusian Prime Minister proposed to set up an agro-machinery plant by the world famous Minsk Tractor Factory; a joint University; and pharma plants in Belarus by the Bangladeshi investors.
Dipu Moni reiterated invitation to the Belarusian Prime Minister, who confirmed to visit Bangladesh around November this year.
The instruments were signed in Minsk at the conclusion of the first ever visit of Foreign Minister Dipu Moni to Belarus, according to a release of the Foreign Ministry.
On the concluding day of the three-day visit, the Foreign Minister called on Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko and discussed ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
The MoU on the establishment of a Foreign Minister-level Joint Commission was signed to deal with cooperation in all bilateral areas, including education, culture, agriculture, investment, trade, and visa exemption for officials.
Dipu Moni told the press that there are a number of areas where Bangladeshi business and industry would find Belarus a very competitive source of materials in terms of cost and technology as well global standards.
She said that with Belarus being a part of the Russia-Kazakhstan led Customs Union, entry of frozen foods, pharma products, jute and jute goods, RMG and textiles into the Customs Union can afford Bangladesh industries find new market as well as secure a strategic foothold in the neighbouring European Union.
Dipu Moni also held discussion with Belarus Prime Minister Mikhail
Myasnikovich, who served as chair of the Belarus National Academy of Science.
She also held official talks with her counterpart Sergei Martynov. During the discussions, the Belarus side expressed deep interest in engaging with Bangladesh and to establish joint ventures in the private sector.
They agreed that by the end of 2012, legal instruments on investment protection and promotion as well as double tax avoidance could be signed to give effect to the Bilateral Trade and Economic Cooepration Agreement that was signed in 2007.
The two sides also agreed that the existing MoU between the two apex chambers of Bangladesh and Belarus should be given effect to complement the Trade Agreement.
Currently, Bangladesh imports around 400,000 metric tons of potash fertiliser and a small quantity of small-sized agricultural tractors from Belarus, which is worth around US$ 120 million.
Belarus side also expressed interest, among others, in the pharmaceutical import from Bangladesh as they import around US$ 600 million each year.
The two ministers also agreed to expedite conclusion of MoUs/Agreement of cooperation in education, culture, science & technology.
Both sides agreed that the two countries can benefit from cooperation in the tourism sector.
In that direction, Martynov welcomed Bangladeshi students for higher studies in Belarusian Universities which offer degree courses in English.
Belarusian Prime Minister proposed to set up an agro-machinery plant by the world famous Minsk Tractor Factory; a joint University; and pharma plants in Belarus by the Bangladeshi investors.
Dipu Moni reiterated invitation to the Belarusian Prime Minister, who confirmed to visit Bangladesh around November this year.
Comments
No Comments on this News
