PM for speedy implementation of PTA with Nepal

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid emphasis on speedy implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bangladesh and Nepal for boosting trade and commerce between the two countries.

"The two countries will immensely benefit in the field of trade and commerce if the PTA is executed fast," she said in her meeting with Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the sidelines of the 18th NAM Summit here.

After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque briefed reporters. PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim was present on the occasion.

Haque said the two prime ministers discussed the issues of connectivity, port facilities and boosting trade and commerce.

About the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) initiative, the foreign secretary said Bhutan has a problem to implement it, but Nepal has agreed to execute it.

In this connection, the Bangladesh prime minister said: "We've raised the issue before India and Nepal could also raise it before New Delhi and we could operationalise the BBIN through it."

The foreign secretary said President M Abdul Hamid will visit Nepal next month. "During the visit, various issues like BBIN and PTA between Bangladesh and Nepal are expected to be discussed and see a progress," he said.

Besides, the foreign secretary said, the issue of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia was discussed during the meeting between the two premiers.

In this connection, they said peace and stability will have to be maintained in South Asia by all.

Talking about the issue, the Nepalese prime minister urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to use her good will so that peace and stability are maintained in the region.