Bangladesh-Vietnam bilateral trade not reaching full potential: Foreign minister

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has noted that the Bangladesh-Vietnam bilateral trade is not reaching its full potential.

He also sought Vietnam's investment in Special Economic Zones and Hi-tech Parks throughout Bangladesh, where attractive incentive packages are being offered to foreign investors.

The minister made the comments on Tuesday, after Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien called on him at his office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Momen welcomed the newly appointed ambassador and recalled the warm and friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Vietnam.

The foreign minister suggested that Vietnam can procure some unconventional items from Bangladesh, such as bicycles, light engineering products, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, particularly jute and jute products, said a press release.

He also pointed out that rate of return through investment in Bangladesh is one of the highest in the Asian region.

The foreign minister then mentioned that Bangladesh and Vietnam are historically close to each other and both countries are bound by a common culture, history and aspirations of the people.

He said that the people of Bangladesh hold the freedom loving people of Vietnam and its legendary leader Ho Chi Minh in high esteem. The present Government attaches utmost importance to Bangladesh's relations with Viet Nam and is determined to take bilateral ties to a new height.

The Bangladesh foreign minister noted that as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council as well as the current chair of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Vietnam stands to play a crucial role in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

He requested Vietnam to initiate a process under the ASEAN framework for creating a civilian observer group who would monitor the return of the 1.1 million Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland (Myanmar).

In response, the Myanmar ambassador assured Bangladesh all out support on the Rohingya issue.  

The ambassador was highly appreciative of the tremendous development taking place in Bangladesh in the last one decade under leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He noted that both countries have set similar development goals, which is to become developed countries around the middle of the present century. He viewed that in attaining the development goals, there is a scope for both countries to join hands and implement programmes together.

Earlier in the day, the Ambassador also called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.