Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Dhaka has proposed to Rangoon for setting joint-venture projects for generation of hydro-electricity and production of fertilizer using Burmese gas.

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dipu Moni gave the proposals during a meeting with Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win on the sidelines of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) held in Colombo on Thursday, a foreign ministry press statement said in the capital, Dhaka on Friday.

“Bangladesh foreign minister proposed joint-venture projects for generation of hydro-electricity and production of fertilizer from gas imported from Myanmar,” the statement added.  

Both the ministers agreed on the need for increasing bilateral interactions to consolidate and strengthen relations between the two countries, the foreign ministry said.

In this context, they stressed on the need for frequent consultations between the two sides at all levels to dispel any misperception on either side, according to the statement.  

During the meeting, Bangladesh’s foreign minister also raised the issue of Rohingya refugees camped inside Bangladesh and urged the Myanmar foreign minister for an early and amicable settlement of the issue.

Dipu Moni also requested Nyan Win to relax the border visa regime for Bangladeshi businessmen to allow them stay at least 30 days in Burma, officially known as Myanmar.

Currently, Bangladeshi businessmen get visa for only 14 days.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-17October09-3:45 pm (BST)