Bangladesh and Myanmar Hold Key Talks on Trade and Rohingya Repatriation
Bangladesh and Myanmar recently held important discussions. They aim to boost trade and speed up the return of Rohingya refugees. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met Myanmar’s Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe in Dhaka on Sunday. The meeting took place at the Secretariat.
The two sides talked about expanding trade. This included increasing imports and exports between the countries. They also discussed starting direct shipping routes by sea. Importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) was another topic. Both nations also looked at ways to grow mutual investment.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stressed Bangladesh’s commitment. He said Bangladesh wants to strengthen relations with its neighbors. This commitment is based on mutual respect and economic cooperation. He added that trade, transport, and investment matters would be reviewed. Cross-border connections would also be examined.
The Minister noted that both countries are close geographically. They also have strong economic potential. This offers many chances to greatly expand their trade.
Myanmar’s Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe supported restarting border trade. He said reopening these routes would help businesses and people. This would benefit both Bangladesh and Myanmar. He suggested starting this trade on a small scale first, if needed.
The meeting also focused on trading more promising products. These included farm produce, fish, and rice. Pharmaceuticals and frozen foods were also discussed. Both sides highlighted the need for direct business-to-business engagement.
The issue of Rohingya refugee repatriation was also key. The Commerce Minister underlined the need for good conditions. These conditions must allow Rohingya refugees to return safely. Their return must be voluntary, sustainable, and with dignity. He stated that Bangladesh wants to see real progress on this matter.
The Myanmar Ambassador responded by saying his government is checking the refugee lists. He added that repatriation would move forward. This would happen once the security situation improves.
Both sides also agreed on more steps. They will hold regular meetings of a Joint Committee. The next meeting will take place in Bangladesh. They also plan to quickly finalize an agreement. This agreement will establish direct shipping links between the two countries. Such direct sea links would lower transport costs. They would also reduce travel times. This would significantly boost bilateral trade.
