KALADAN NEWS

Dated- 22nd March 2003.

Bangladesh PM back from Burma

Chittagong, 22nd March: Prime Minister Begum Khaleda

Zia returned home yesterday afternoon from Rangoon,

winding up her three-day official visit to the Union

of Burma. She visited the Burma at the invitation of

Burma Prime Minister, according to the BSS, Dhaka.

Bangladesh-Burma agreed to establish road-link between

Dhaka and Rangoon for any communication and to

strengthen people to people contact by a landmark

development in relation between the two neighbors,

according to UNB, Rangoon.

A task force will be formed soon to implement the

proposed direct road communications, it further added.

The major decision was reached at the official talks

between two Prime Ministers.

Two sides also approved the signing of two MOUs on

Account of Trade and establishment of Joint Trade

Commission aimed bolstering bilateral economic

cooperation. Another MOU on Coastal Shipping was

signed. The issue of avoidance of double taxation also

came up in the meeting that decided to sign a MOU on

this matter in the near future, the UNB reported.

As the Burma side suggested upgrading the MOU on

present annual consultation between the two foreign

ministers to an accord Joint Commission on bilateral

cooperation, the Bangladesh PM accepted the

proposition, said the UNB.

Bangladesh FM said construction of the proposed

Bangladesh-Burma road and bridge over river Naff would

commence within month and is expected to finish within

this year.

FM of Bangladesh further said that communication

ministers of the two countries would meet on 20th

March to work out a “detailed time bound action

programme” for construction of the Dhaka-Rangoon Road

for cross- border transportation.

The FM of Bangladesh said the summit level meeting

also decided to have military cooperation for capacity

building of the armed forces through training and

sharing experiences.

About Bangladesh’s proposal for easing visa regime

allowing a Bangladeshi citizen to stay in Burma for

more than 90 days, the Burma side assured of taking

immediate measures in the respect, The NUB reported.

Bangladesh made a strong plea for quick repatriation

of the remaining Rohingya refugees as UNHCR plans to

wrap up its programme in the next few months, the

daily Star stated.

The two sides also decided to hold single-country

trade fairs to boost bilateral economic relations. A

Bangladeshi Trade Fair begins in Rangoon on 20th

March.

Burma Prime Minister and Madam Than Shwe and senior

ministers were present at the airport to see Khalada

Zia off.

Boys and girls of Burma wearing traditional dresses

gave a rousing farewell to the Bangladesh Prime

Minister, stated in the paper.

Editor

Kaladan Press Network.