Dhaka, Bangkok to begin FTA talks next month
Apparel Resources | 8 July 2024
Dhaka, Bangkok to begin FTA talks next month
Bangladesh and Thailand will begin Free Trade Talks (FTA) in Dhaka next month to expand bilateral trade to the tune of US $ 2 billion, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmor announced on Sunday.
“A high-level Thai trade delegation will visit Bangladesh in the last week of August to hold talks with the Bangladesh delegation to be headed by State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu,” the envoy said at a press conference in Dhaka.
In response to a query, Makawadee Sumitmor stated that Thailand will send a high-level Thai business delegation to study business opportunities and the investment climate in Bangladesh.
The Thai envoy further stated that during her visit to Thailand, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Thai businesses and businessmen to engage in Bangladesh’s emerging sectors.
Makawadee Sumitmor further said Thai investment in Bangladesh will help reduce the trade gap between the two countries. She said trade fairs are a way to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. A total of 64 exhibitors will take part in the exhibition.
She described Thailand as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, noting that the number of visitors from Bangladesh had returned to pre-pandemic levels, with approximately 140,000 Bangladeshis visiting Thailand in 2023.
Makawadee Sumitmor further stated that Thailand gives approximately 4,000 medical visas to Bangladeshis each year.
Sheikh Hasina paid a bilateral and multilateral visit to Thailand from 24th-29th April, to strengthen bilateral relations.
