Dhaka, Jakarta for concluding bilateral PTA

Bangladesh and Indonesia have stressed on concluding the bilateral preferential trade agreement (PTA) for further strengthening the economic cooperation between the two countries.

Bangladesh and Indonesia held a bilateral meeting in Jakarta on Monday and discussed the issue.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi led the respective delegation in the discussions.

The meeting reviewed the whole gamut of the existing excellent bilateral relations and both sides renewed their commitment for further strengthening it.

The two foreign ministers exchanged felicitations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The two countries agreed to accelerate cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, food, energy, health & pharmaceuticals, connectivity, ICT, tourism, halal trade, human resources development, defence, youth & cultural exchanges, etc.

They expressed optimism that the MoUs in the pipeline would be concluded soon.

FM Momen sought proactive support of Indonesia and of the ASEAN for an early repatriation of the stranded Myanmar nationals (Rohingya) from Bangladesh to Myanmar.

Momen also requested for an expeditious decision on Bangladesh’s candidacy for the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership of ASEAN.

After the official talks, the two foreign ministers made brief press statements.

The official logo for the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the translation of the historic 7th March Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Indonesian language were also unveiled by the two foreign ministers at a simple ceremony.