Momen emphasis on visa-free travel between South Asian countries

Foreign Minister emphasized visa-free movement between South Asian countries. AK Abdul Momen said that if visa-free travel is created in the region, more connectivity will increase between South Asian countries. This will increase business.

The minister said these things in a seminar titled 'Celebration of 50 years of Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship: Perspectives of Peace, Progress and Prosperity Sharing' organized by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Sunday (March 12).

Dr. Momen said, what we want to see in the next 50 years of Bangladesh-Nepal relations should be discussed. There is a lot of potential in energy, tourism and trade between the two countries. However, the trade rate between the two countries is relatively low. There should be more trade between the two countries. The two countries have advanced a lot in energy cooperation. We want to bring 50 MW electricity from Nepal, but it is getting delayed.

Rector of Foreign Service Academy Mashfi binte Shams served as Ambassador to Bangladesh for almost six and a half years in Nepal. The former ambassador said that Bangladesh and Nepal have a long-standing relationship. A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is under discussion to increase trade between the two countries. Besides, tariff barriers should be identified and removed to increase trade. Besides, air connectivity between the two countries can be increased.

Rector Mashfi said that not only from Dhaka, but also from Syedpur, air traffic can be carried out between the two countries. Besides, I think it is important to increase the defense cooperation between the two countries.

Ghanshyam Bhandari, Ambassador of Nepal posted in Dhaka, said that the economic and commercial relations between Bangladesh and Nepal are gradually increasing. Bangladesh and Nepal are also working together in regional and multilateral forums. For the purpose of energy cooperation, work is going on so that both countries benefit. He also said that 3 thousand Nepalese students are studying in Bangladesh.

Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, Director General of BIISS also spoke at the seminar.