Bangladesh-Sri Lanka friendly relation to be stronger

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena's visit to Bangladesh is being considered to reach the relationship to a new level between the two countries.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka signed more than a dozen memorandums of understanding (MoU) during Sirisena's three-day Dhaka visit.

Both the countries were also agreed to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which would boost bilateral trade cooperation between the two nations. It is expected that a new horizon will be revealed once the contract is completed.

Bangladesh has long been in friendly relationship with Sri Lanka which is considered as traditional heritage. Both the nations are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).  They have also common heritages in the fields of culture and heritage.

However, due to lack of proper initiatives, the relationship and cooperative activities between the two nations were a little bit slow in trade, investment and other fields.

There is a demand for Bangladeshi products in Sri Lanka. Similarly, Sri Lankan products are also in demand in Bangladesh. Now, if the two countries sign FTA, it will remove all obstacles including tax. It will be convenient for both the nations.

For Bangladesh, it would be the first ever Free Trade Agreement with any nation, once the country signs it successfully. Bangladesh's Foreign Minister termed this as an important progress which would boost the trade and extend it. Both nations will be benefitted by this.

There are also some problems in the world trade or international trade. This crisis has recently increased. Alongside, terrorism, militancy and extremism have recently turned into a global problem.  It is expected that if both the nations can boost the bilateral and regional trade in this situation, it will be quite fruitful. So, the trade agreement with Sri Lanka will result in a very positive and far-flung progression.

In this case, both the nations reiterated their commitments to work together. They agreed to complete preliminary activities related to the deal as soon as possible. For this, the countries signed a deal of visa exemption agreement for diplomats and officials' travel. Except this, Seven MoUs out of 14 signed between the two countries were related to agriculture, investment and trade.

It is not the final stage to sign deal or MoU. Rather, it is the start up only. More important is that implementing the agreement properly. Not only at the government level, but also it is important to increase communication between the two countries at the private level as well. Because, the harmonious relationship will be deeper if people of both nations can easily communicate each others.

With the mutual respect to each other's sovereignty, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka believe in developing the bilateral and multilateral relations in this region. And this belief helps both nations to build a friendly relationship.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have also agreed on deepening the process of sub-regional and regional cooperation during Sirisena's visit. We believe Sri Lanka president's Dhaka visit will help strengthening the friendly relationship between the two countries.


risingbd/Dhaka/July 19, 2017/Ali Nowsher/A K Azad