The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Myanmar yesterday agreed to export one lakh metric tonnes of rice to Bangladesh on regular basis as Dhaka made a host of proposals for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation with Yangon to a new height.

The agreement came during official talks between Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and visiting Vice-Chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar Vice-senior General Maung Aye at the Chief Advisor's office.

One of the major proposals placed by Dhaka is for installing a cross-border gas pipeline from Myanmar into Bangladesh to produce fertilizer here to meet Myanmar's demand.

During the 90-minute talks, the two government leaders discussed early construction of a 23-km road linkage inside Myanmar at a cost of $ 20.3 million for direct trans-border communications.

The Bangladesh side proposed that the road link could be extended up to China to establish a direct land route connecting China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Myanmar side said they would think about the proposal, since it requires funding.

Briefing reporters at the CA's office Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said the two leaders also discussed delimitation of maritime boundary, contract farming by taking lease of cultivable lands in Myanmar and repatriation of the remaining 21,000 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

The two sides also focused on how to increase bilateral trade from the current $ 140 million to $500 million as Myanmar showed interest in importing more pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh.

Besides, they discussed intensifying military-to- military cooperation through training program and exchange of visits between the two neighboring countries.

An agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation was signed after the meeting.

"Talks were extremely fruitful," Iftekhar told the reporters. He said Myanmar's Ministers for Energy, Commerce, Construction, Immigration and Foreign Affairs, who are accompanying General Maung Aye, would sit with the Advisors concerned tomorrow to follow up the official talks.

In reply to a question about tentative date for the construction of

the 20-km road connecting Bangladesh and Myanmar, he said it would be clear after tomorrow's meeting with Communications Advisor Maj Gen (retd) Golam Quader.

Asked about Myanmar's response to Bangladesh proposal regarding supply of gas through pipeline for production of fertilizer in Bangladesh, the Advisor said there was no instant response, but the energy ministries of the two countries would further discuss the proposed venture.

On maritime boundary, the Chief Advisor requested the Myanmar General to use his political clout as well as a political direction from them for resolving the longstanding matter quickly.

About progress on Bangladesh's proposal for contract farming, he said it is a complex subject and needs more discussions.

On procurement of rice from Myanmar, the Advisor said the Bangladesh side proposed to increase the quantum of import to one-lakh ton from 50,000 since rice production in that country got stable. The Commerce Ministries of the two countries will decide the matter in a couple of days.

About repatriation of the 21,000 Rohingyas, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed proposed a tripartite mechanism involving Myanmar, Bangladesh and UNHCR for speedy repatriation of the refugees camped in Cox's Bazar since early 90s.

Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain and CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were present at the briefing.