Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh Tuesday proposed Pakistan for establishment of direct shipping service between Chittagong and Karachi for enhanced bilateral trade between the two countries.
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr Dipu Moni made the proposal when Pakistan High Commissioner Alamgir Bashar Khan Babar called on her at her office in the capital, Dhaka.
During the meeting, the foreign minister raised the issue of resolving the unsettled matters pending for last 38 years between the two countries like sharing of assets, seeking formal apologies by Pakistan for the genocide in 1971 and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, a foreign ministry press statement said.
Bilateral trade and commerce, zero-tariff for export of products from Bangladesh to Pakistan, abolition of visa system for diplomatic and official passports and information sharing for combating terrorism were also discussed in the meeting.
In response to the foreign minister's emphasis on people-to-people contact, the Pakistan envoy informed her that 10 women entrepreneurs from Bangladesh visited Pakistan under the auspices of Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.
The high commissioner also said pending issues could come up in the foreign secretary level consultations between the two countries and sought Bangladesh's support for Pakistani candidature in various international bodies like OIC, IAEA, UNDP and UNFPA.
BBN/SSR/ANS/AD-13May09-1:39 am (BST)