Sri Lanka offered Bangladesh right to use its deep-sea port at Hambantota, north of the Indian Ocean island-state, to link with Chittagong and Mongla seaports in running external trade.
The latest development in the bilateral cooperation was disclosed at a press conference of the Foreign Ministers of both the countries at a city hotel on Tuesday afternoon.
Professor GL Peiris, Lanka’s External Affairs Minister, and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni addressed the joint press meet on the outcome of summit talks between the two countries.
The press conference focused on the signing of five agreements on bilateral plane between the two SAARC countries during Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Bangladesh.
The foreign ministers also informed the journalists at the news conference that the two countries would work together in reducing trade gap and tackling terrorism.
Dr Dipu Moni said, “A three-member Bangladesh team will visit Sri Lanka following the proposal.”
The two countries are also working for reaching a shipping agreement, she added.
Bangladesh has got no deep-sea port. So, the imported goods-laden ships have to anchor at Singapore’s deep-sea port. Later, the imports are shipped in to Chittagong and Mongla ports through feeder vessels, which is time-and money-consuming process.
News Source:
BanglaNews24