Bangladesh, Thailand discuss multifaceted cooperation

The 4th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Thailand was held on Friday at the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Thailand.

Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and the Thai delegation was headed by Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eksiri Pintaruchi, said a press release.

The consultation took stock of the entire gamut of bilateral relations including cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, connectivity, workers’ migration, energy, agriculture, cultural exchanges, education and training, defence, and climate change.

Expressing satisfaction at the ongoing trade and investment cooperation, Bangladesh put forward two specific proposals for reducing the trade gap: import of more pharmaceutical, jute and jute products from Bangladesh, and reduction of duties on Bangladeshi products to improve their competitiveness in the Thai market.

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Thai side expressed their willingness to consider the proposals and to further expand bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. The Thai delegation also requested for early initiation of bilateral FTA discussions.

On connectivity, both sides welcomed the commencement of the first direct shipping between Chattogram and Ranong ports in September 2026. This would reduce the transportation time from approximately 15 to just four days, thereby lowering logistics costs boosting bilateral trade.

Bangladesh sought Thailand’s technical cooperation and investment in processing of Bangladeshi fruits and vegetables, and technology transfer for global halal food market.

Under TICA programme, Bangladesh sought training for professionals in hospitality, nursing, germplasm, food processing, hospitality sectors. Thailand also stressed to share its experience of “One Village One Product” programme.

Two sides agreed to consider the various MoUs under discussions including on rice import and workers’ migration. 

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing energy cooperation. Referring to the Government’s national objective of generating at least 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, Bangladesh sought Thailand’s technical expertise and experience in converting agricultural residues and agro-industrial waste into electricity.

Looking ahead to the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Thailand next year, the two sides stressed on the importance of exchanges at political level and hoped that visits of the heads of government next year could mark the anniversary.

They also agreed to undertake joint initiatives to promote cultural and sport exchanges. As part of these efforts, Bangladesh offered to share its expertise in cricket and training, while Thailand offered training in Taekwondo.

On regional and multilateral cooperation, Bangladesh expressed its appreciation for Thailand’s continued support for Bangladesh’s aspiration to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and its accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Bangladesh delegation sought Thailand’s support in addressing the repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas to Rakhine, Myanmar. Both sides acknowledged the growing menace of cross-border crimes including human and arms trafficking, online scamming, and narcotics trade.

In this context, they agreed to work together and consider establishment of a joint committee under their ministries of home affairs.

The meeting concluded by reaffirming commitment by both sides to elevate the relations through enhanced cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international level.