Bangladesh, Indonesia to sign PTA to strengthen economic ties

Bangladesh and Indonesia have agreed to sign Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) for strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries.

The development came while Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, who is visiting Bangladesh to attend the 21st IORA Council of Ministers meeting in Dhaka, held a meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on the sidelines of the event at Hotel InterContinental today.

Momen stressed the importance of an early conclusion of the PTA, which is currently under negotiation, by making it inclusive and mutually beneficial. Retno Marsudi agreed to the same, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Momen observed that the bilateral PTA, if successfully concluded, could be an effective tool for further strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Both the foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the flourishing bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest over the last five decades.

Terming Indonesia as one of Bangladesh's trusted friends, Momen pointed out the excellent understanding and goodwill prevailing at the highest political level of the two countries.

Referring to the 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, that falls next year, both the ministers agreed to celebrate the special occasion in a befitting manner.

Momen acquainted the Indonesian minister of the very low level of Covid-19 positivity rate currently prevailing in Bangladesh and informed her of the government's drive for vaccinating people en masse.

Highlighting the plights of a 1.1 million Rohingyas, which is exerting pressure on Bangladesh, Momen thanked the Indonesian minister for their supportive role in the UNGA, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Human Rights Council, etc on the issue.

He urged them to play a more proactive role within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to ensure an early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their motherland.

While discussing the importance of Indian Ocean Rim Association, Momen reiterated that Bangladesh believes in a free, open, peaceful and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the common global benefit.