Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Kazi Imtiaz Hossain paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand on 21 April 2011, at the Government House in Bangkok, an official press statement said in Dhaka on Sunday.  

The Prime Minister welcomed the Ambassador of Bangladesh and conveyed his appreciation for his efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Bangladesh Ambassador also conveyed the warm greetings of the Prime Minister to the Thai Prime Minister which he reciprocated.

The Bangladesh Ambassador discussed wide-range of issues of mutual interest with the Thai Prime Minister. He noted that the present government of Bangladesh is keen to strengthen and deepen relations with Thailand in all spheres.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Thailand has an intention to promote cooperation with Bangladesh in all dimensions and at all levels. The Bangladesh Ambassador briefed
Prime Minister Abhisit on the prospective areas for foreign investment in Bangladesh including the power and energy sector.

Noting that Bangladesh has a rich reservoir of labour force the Ambassador
requested Thai Prime Minister to consider recruiting from Bangladesh.

The Thai Prime Minister expressed special interest of Thailand’s private sector to invest in Bangladesh and noted that the engagement of the Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited in the expressway construction project (Dhaka Elevated Expressway Project) is an example of growing investment between the two countries.

Observing that the project was a landmark in the Bangladesh-Thailand cooperation, the Bangladesh Ambassador expressed hope that it will usher in a new phase in investment relation between the two countries.

The Ambassador fondly recalled the visit of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Bangladesh in February 2010 and expressed gratitude for her support to the development of children in Bangladesh.

Thai Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended to during her visit to Bangladesh.

Thai prime Minister reiterated the importance of Bangladesh as a partner in development and cooperation in the multilateral level, particularly in the framework of BIMSTEC.  He congratulated Bangladesh for being selected as the host of the BIMSTEC Secretariat. The
Ambassador informed that the work of setting up the Secretariat was fast progressing.

Ambassador of Bangladesh extended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‘s invitation to the Thai premier to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

BBN/SSR/AD-24Apr11-11:26 am (BST)