Drug trafficking, arms smuggling dominate talks

They emphasised on strengthening of existing relations between the two countries through further development of trade and commerce and exchange of political, cultural, economic and educational delegations during the meeting, says a home ministry press release.

The home minister explained to the Myanmar envoy about the "Look East" foreign policy of Bangladesh and the steps taken to further expand bilateral and multilateral relations all over the world.

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They also discussed increasing collaboration between Bangladesh Rifles and the Border Forces of Myanmar in checking drug trafficking, arms smuggling, trafficking of women and children, repatriation of each other's nationals held as prisoners in both the countries, illegal fishing within the territorial waters and sea.

The two sides showed keen interest in setting up Bangladesh-Myanmar Friendship Society and Bangladesh-Myanmar Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

They hoped that tourism, trade and commerce would further flourish after the establishment of road communication between the two countries. This would facilitate further development of transportation by sea and air, they said.

The Myanmar envoy expressed his eagerness about setting up a language school in Dhaka. He told the home minister that the Myanmar prime minister is likely to visit Dhaka at the end of March or early April.

Bangladesh and Myanmar enjoy excellent bilateral relationships.