PM Hasina wants PTA with Nepal for mutual benefit

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid emphasis on signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bangladesh and Nepal for their mutual benefit.

Hasina also sought cooperation in the field of trade and commerce for tapping the potential of the two neighbouring countries.

She made the observations during a meeting with visiting Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari at Hotel InterContinental in the capital.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. "The PTA will be beneficial for the two countries," he quoted the prime minister as saying.

Welcoming the Nepalese president to Bangladesh, the PM recalled with gratitude the moral and material support of Nepal during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 when Nepal supplied arms to freedom fighters.

About climate change, Hasina said she always mentions Nepal as a climate vulnerable country.

Hasina offered Nepal, a landlocked country, the facility to use Chattogram and Mongla ports, and Syedpur Airport. "We're upgrading Syedpur Airport into a regional one."

She mentioned the BBIN connectivity saying that this would help increase the trade and commerce among Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India.

The PM said Bangladesh, Nepal and India can set up hydroelectric power plant through mutual cooperation which will be better for all the three countries.