Terming the current bilateral trade volume very modest, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday emphasised enhanced private sector interactions and increased exchanges of business delegations to realise the untapped potential with Tajikistan.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Tajikistan.
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Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Idibek Kalandar called on the foreign minister at his office on the sidelines of the first-ever Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between the two countries and discussed issues of mutual interest.
They discussed the possibility of opening resident diplomatic missions in the respective capitals, operating direct flights, easing visa processes, increasing people-to-people contacts, showcasing respective trade baskets, facilitating bilateral trade and investment, and ensuring effective mobility of goods, labour and services.
They attached importance to the Joint Working Group (JWC) on trade and economic cooperation and effective engagements between the apex chambers and business organisations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the two countries discussed issues of mutual interest to expand cooperation.
The visiting deputy foreign minister of Tajikistan emphasised institutional frameworks such as memorandum of understanding or agreements for wider bilateral cooperation and both of them viewed for early conclusion of bilateral instruments of cooperation in areas such as trade and economic cooperation, cultural cooperation, visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders, tourism promotion, avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investments, and cooperation in the fields of industries.
The foreign minister welcomed the proposal for the formation of a Bangladesh-Tajikistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to enhance regular interaction among the parliamentarians.
He expressed gratitude to Tajikistan for its support for Bangladesh’s candidature for the Presidency of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Both Bangladesh and Tajikistan agreed to deepen regional and global coordination and to reaffirm mutual support across international platforms, including the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
They exchanged views on important regional and global developments and discussed the promotion of wider inter-regional connectivity, recognising the unique strategic position of South and Central Asia.
The Tajik deputy foreign minister responded positively to Bangladesh’s aspiration for membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).