Bangladesh and Indonesia on Thursday stressed early signing of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) within the ambit of which potential export items from both countries would be allowed to enter duty free. The two countries agreed to complete the signing of pending MoUs and agreements on a fast-track basis, pursue sector specific agenda and do the needful to expand the volume of bilateral trade and investment. Bangladesh sought Indonesia’s continued support for Rohingya repatriation and appreciated the last ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting which also called for early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. Indonesia assured to stand beside Bangladesh on Rohingya issue. Bangladesh and Indonesia held their first ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on Thursday and discussed the issues. Also read: PM for building infrastructures to reap highest benefits from PTA

 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday put emphasis on constructing necessary infrastructures to reap the highest benefits from the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan. She made the observation during a meeting with visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering at her office. PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. He said that both the Prime Ministers discussed on various fields of cooperation between the two countries, especially trade and connectivity. Both of them agreed to activate the riverine routes so that trade between the two countries could be expanded. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on building more ports of call. For establishing cooperation in hydropower project, she asked for formulating bilateral or tripartite MoU in this regard. The Bhutanese Prime Minister requested Prime Minister Hasina to issue one time multiple full term visa for their students who are studying in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Prime Minister agreed upon the issue and asked the officials concerned for taking necessary steps. She also said that Bangladesh would cooperate Bhutan in ICT sector, especially providing broadband internet. Both the leaders also agreed on working together in the United Nations and other forums. Also read: Bhutanese PM pays tributes to Bangabandhu, Liberation War martyrs Earlier, the two Prime Ministers also held a tête-à-tête for 45 minutes. Prime Minister Dr Tshering conveyed the warm greetings of The King and the people of Bhutan to Bangladesh during the meeting.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday laid emphasis on signing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bangladesh and Nepal for their mutual benefits.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has agreed to sign a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) allowing duty-free access to a range of goods between the two countries and thus boost bilateral trade further.

Bangladesh and the Maldives have underscored the need to have robust maritime and air connectivity between the two countries.

Bangladesh has urged Maldives to sign Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) between the two countries to strengthen the relations on trade and investment fronts. 

Bangladesh has expressed its interest to enter into a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with the Maldives within the purview of the WTO provisions, with a view to harnessing the trade potentials.

As Bangladesh looks forward to graduating out of the least developed country (LDC) status in 2024, it's increasingly emphasising bilateral preferential trade agreement (PTA) and free trade agreement (FTA) to boost its export earnings in the next three to six years.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering on Sunday highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership, saying Bangladesh is making an impressive economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Bangladesh on Sunday signed its maiden Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Bhutan to boost bilateral trade between the two countries.