Bangladesh has stressed on direct shipping connectivity with Sri Lanka and resumption of negotiations for early conclusion of preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the two countries. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen met his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry on Wednesday evening, on the eve of the 22nd Ministerial Meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The two foreign ministers discussed the wide spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed hope to work closely for their countries and inclusive development of the region. Read more: IORA ministers meet Thursday, Momen for making the best use of sea Momen requested to boost trade relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through increased export of agricultural products and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh at an affordable price. The foreign minister of Sri Lanka assured that his country is also looking forward to working together with Bangladesh. The two leaders agreed to expedite forming an institutional platform to hold regular and comprehensive dialogues between the countries at the foreign minister level. The issue of mutual support for each other’s candidature at various international fora was also discussed with due importance. Foreign Minister Momen also sought support of Sri Lanka in repatriating the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Ali Sabry arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon to attend the 22nd ministerial meeting of IORA. Earlier, he also met the state minister for shipping. Read more: IORA Meetings to focus on undertaking larger projects Ali Sabry is expected to call on the prime minister of Bangladesh along with other ministerial delegation from other member states of IORA and leave Dhaka on November 26.  

Bangladesh and Brunei have stressed the importance of facilitating air and shipping connectivity for giving the bilateral trade, investment and people-to-people contact a boost. The two countries agreed to facilitate a greater collaboration and synergy between the private sectors and entrepreneurs of the two countries to fully harness the untapped potentials. The issues were discussed at the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Brunei Darussalam held in Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday. The consultations were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Secretary of Brunei Darussalam Pengiran Norhashimah binti Pengiran Mohd Hassan. Bangladesh High Commissioner  Nahida Rahman was present. The issue of energy cooperation prominently featured in the bilateral discussions in context of the severe supply chain disruptions owing to the volatility and uncertainties caused by the pandemic and conflicts in different parts of the world, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The two sides acknowledged the valuable contribution made by Bangladeshi migrant workers to both the countries. Read: Bangladesh, Brunei 2nd FOC Wednesday Expressing optimism for signing the proposed MoU on recruitment of Bangladeshi human resources in Brunei at the earliest, Foreign Secretary Masud underscored the need for a safe, orderly and regular migration.  Flagging the high demographic dividend Bangladesh is currently enjoying, he offered to send more Bangladeshi workers to Brunei for mutual benefit of the two countries. The Brunei side expressed their keenness for recruiting more Bangladeshi workers in their upcoming mega projects. During the FOC,  the whole spectrum of Bangladesh-Brunei bilateral relations came under discussion including cooperation in areas of migration, trade and commerce, investment, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and livestock, health, connectivity, defence, energy, education, culture, youth and sport, etc. Both the sides expressed satisfaction at the existing level of bilateral engagements and reiterated their commitment for continued efforts to further expand the bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit in the days ahead. Applauding the fruitful and substantial talks, both the sides also agreed on continuing the regular institutional engagement mechanisms to keep up the momentum in bilateral relations. While sharing Bangladesh’s preparedness for LDC graduation, Foreign Secretary Masud highlighted the tremendous socio-economic development in Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Secretary requested for continued international support, including from Brunei, for sustaining the development trajectory of Bangladesh in the post-graduation period. The Permanent Secretary of Brunei highly praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and congratulated Bangladesh for successfully qualifying for graduation from an LDC to a developing nation. Both sides agreed to further explore the potentials for cooperation in the areas of food processing, ICT, ship building, tourism, infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals and jute products etc. Bangladesh sought Bruneian support for developing and promoting the Halal trade sector of Bangladesh. As the Foreign Secretary highlighted the Rohingya crisis and sought a more proactive Bruneian support for an early repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their motherland, the Brunei side assured of all possible cooperation in this regard.  Brunei also assured of their support in favour of Bangladesh’s candidacy for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.

Container shipping service directly connecting Chattagram Port to the Port of Koper in Slovenia may open up prospects for faster and cheaper shipping from Bangladesh to Europe. The optimism was expressed at a meeting between BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Wahid Salam, Honorary Consul, Consulate of Slovenia in Bangladesh and Miha Groznik, Honorary Consul, Consulate of Bangladesh in Slovenia. Mitja Dujc, Commercial Director, Port of Koper and Borut Semrl, Represetative for Hungary, Port of Koper also attended the meeting held at BGMEA in the city on Monday.  They made a presentation on the prospects, features and benefits of Port Koper for directing shipping from Bangladesh to Europe through Slovenia. READ: Major areas in Ctg port city get waterlogged after overnight rains; 2 electrocuted   They also highlighted possible benefits of shipping to Port of Koper through transshipment via other ports. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the direct route might make Bangladesh’s RMG industry more competitive by reducing time and cost and significantly enhance Bangladesh’s trade with Europe. “We are looking into every possible avenue to facilitate our exports including ready-made garments. A direct shipping service has already been introduced between the Chattogram port and an Italian port. More new direct shipping services from Bangladesh to Europe will be helpful in enhancing our competitive edge,” he said.

The government banned movement of ferries with heavy vehicles under the Padma Bridge until strong current of the river is brought under control, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday. However, ferries with light vehicles can move only on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route, said the minister while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. “It is difficult to move ferries with heavy vehicles during strong current on Shimulia-Banglabazar route. So only light vehicles and ambulance carrying ferries can cross the river till further notice,” he said. Also read: Ferry hits Padma Bridge pillar: BIWTC forms probe committee People have been asked to use Paturia-Daulatdia ghat and Harina ghat in Chandpur for vehicles and the number of ferries will be increased on those routes, he added. “It is so unfortunate that a number of collisions occurred with pillars of the under-construction Padma Bridge which is so embarrassing,” said the state minister. The government has taken the decision after the collision of a ferry with a pillar of under-construction Padma Bridge. Earlier in the day Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) suspended the master and the Sukani of Ro Ro Birsreshtha Jahangir over the incident of the ferry hitting the pillar Padma Bridge. Also read: 20 hurt as ferry hits Padma bridge pillar The suspended were identified as Master Inland Master officer Mohammad Delwarul Islam and Wheel Sukani Mohamamd Abul Kalam Azad. Besides, a five-member probe body led by joint secretary Rashedul Islam, Director (technical) of BIWTC, was formed to look into the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its report with recommendation within three working days. Two other incidents of ferry colliding with the bridge’s pillar occurred in July and August.