Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said Bangladesh and Thailand have the opportunity to strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy and ICT."I strongly feel that we have the opportunity to strengthen our cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy, ICT, people-to-people contacts and connectivity, and also under the BIMSTEC," she said, addressing the official luncheon meeting hosted by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at his office, the Government House, in Bangkok.Earlier, the two leaders had a tete-a-tete (one-to-one meeting) and then they led their respective sides at a bilateral meeting there. Five bilateral documents - an agreement, three memorandums of understanding MoU) and a letter of intent (LOI) - were signed in presence of the two prime ministers.

In the luncheon, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with Thailand as an immediate neighbour.

"Our friendship is deeply rooted in historical, linguistic, and common cultural heritage. The warm and cordial relations between our two friendly countries are ever-growing in multi-faceted areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, sustainable development, people-to-people contacts, and connectivity," she added.

The Bangladesh premier said that Prime Minister Thavisin and she discussed at length the bilateral and regional issues of mutual interests.

"We agreed to make all efforts to enhance our bilateral trade and encourage more interactions between the public and private entities of the two countries. Likewise, we must make all efforts to promote and facilitate bilateral investments," she said.

The agreement and MoUs that Dhaka and Bangkok signed today (Friday) would provide a solid framework for enhancing bilateral cooperation, she added.

Talking about her visit, Sheikh Hasina said the visit is part of broader focus on the "neighbourhood" policy, which has provided an excellent opportunity for the two countries to further renew the momentum in the bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will go a long way in deepening the relations between our two countries," she said.

The premier said that she firmly believes this visit would provide the much-needed impetus to the bilateral relations to its full potential.

"This official visit will remain a milestone in our bilateral relations. It has ushered in a new era of fruitful partnership between our two countries. We need to sustain the renewed momentum in our relationship for the mutual benefit of our people and countries in the days ahead," she said.

Before joining the luncheon, Sheikh Hasina visited a Thai handicrafts exhibition at the Government House. She was accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and Bangabandhu's grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq. Source: BSS