Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – A two-day foreign secretary-level talks between Burma and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin in Dhaka on December 29 on issues ranging from trade to energy cooperation, officials said on Monday.

“Around 30 issues have been identified initially for the talks,” a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said, adding that a five-member Burmese delegation, led by its foreign secretary, will take part the meeting.  

Establishing a direct air route between Dhaka and Rangoon, eliminating problems relating to business visa, introducing the direct letters of credit (L/C), and reducing bilateral trade gap are some of the major issues to be discussed between the two foreign secretaries meeting, the (MOFA) officials added.

Another area for discussion will be the possibility of establishing a hydroelectric plant in Burma, the officials said.

In the last Bangladesh-Burma joint trade council meeting, Dhaka requested Rangoon to consider establishment of a hydroelectric power plant in the Rakhaine State under a joint venture. Burmese side agreed to discuss the matter in the upcoming foreign secretary level meeting.

Dhaka is expected to attach the highest importance to the issue of hydropower plant as the country is in dire need of electricity.

The issue of importing gas from Burma to Bangladesh has been included in the agenda. However, details of gas-import issue could not be known.

Bilateral trade between the two neighboring countries has been taking place under the General Trade Agreement and Border Trade Agreement signed in 1973 and 1994 respectively.

The volume of bilateral trade between the two countries has been quite ‘insignificant’ for years because of lack of proper initiatives. The balance of trade, according to trade officials, has remained in favour of Burma over the past 13 years.

However, a review of bilateral trade between the two countries shows that the trade balance was in favour of Bangladesh from 1991-92 to 1995-96. But in 1996-97 it tilted in favour of Burma.

Dhaka exported goods and commodities worth only US$9.17 million to Rangoon in 2008-09 while its imports during the period stood at $66.49 million, the data showed.

Bangladesh mainly exports pharmaceutical products, leather, woven garments and other manufacturing goods to Burma and imports wooden articles, vegetable products, processed food and fish.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-15December09-1:13 am (BST)