Dhaka-Colombo eyes to bolster bilateral ties
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka reaffirmed their strong bilateral partnership and commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors during the Fourth Round of Foreign Office Consultations, held at the Foreign Secretaries’ level in Colombo on Thursday.
The meeting was co-chaired by Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, and Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The consultations marked the continuation of a vital diplomatic dialogue between the two countries, following the third round held in Dhaka in 2017.
The wide-ranging discussions reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explored new areas of collaboration in agriculture, education, health, trade, investment, the digital economy, defence, connectivity, tourism, fisheries, youth affairs, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s significant investments and active diaspora presence in Bangladesh, Colombo invited Bangladeshi investors to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka’s development projects, logistics, cultivation, and tourism industries.
Both sides discussed expanding cooperation in banking and financial services to enhance economic stability and prosperity.
Bangladesh, in turn, welcomed further Sri Lankan investments in its Export Processing Zones (EPZs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and API Industrial Parks, particularly in high-growth sectors such as pharmaceuticals, hospitality, tourism, automobiles and light engineering, ICT, renewable energy, agro-processing, leather, and footwear.
Sri Lanka expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s support during its 2022 economic crisis, when Dhaka extended financial assistance amounting to USD 200 million.
Bangladesh requested Sri Lanka to simplify its pharmaceuticals registration process, while both sides agreed to expedite meetings of the Trade Negotiating Committee and Joint Working Groups on Trade and Shipping to facilitate smoother trade relations.
To boost bilateral trade, investment, and connectivity, both countries underscored the need to finalise pending legal instruments and encourage greater engagement between private sectors and business chambers.
Connectivity emerged as a key focus area, with both sides exploring stronger shipping links, including a proposed port connection between Chattogram and Colombo.
Recognising tourism as a crucial driver of both economies, Sri Lanka expressed interest in developing Green Tourism initiatives with Bangladesh, which, in turn, proposed joint efforts in promoting Tea and Buddhist tourism circuits and finalising the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation.
The two nations also identified opportunities for collaboration in agriculture and fisheries, particularly in water resource management, deep-sea longline fishing, and freshwater fish farming.
Bangladesh invited Sri Lankan farmers for exposure visits and offered cooperation in livestock sectors while seeking Sri Lankan expertise in deep-sea fishing.
In the education and health sectors, both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration.
Bangladesh welcomed Sri Lanka’s proposal to increase annual training slots for Bangladeshi nurses and agreed to deepen cooperation in youth development.
Bangladesh also offered to exchange diploma programmes in Athletics, Sports Science, and Cricket.
The two countries also agreed to enhance collaboration between their national news agencies and to establish a Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Tech Corridor aimed at fostering innovation and digital partnership.
Reaffirming their shared commitment to regional cooperation, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh emphasised active engagement through SAARC, BIMSTEC, and IORA.
Bangladesh sought Sri Lanka’s support for the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas and for ensuring their sustainable livelihoods and rights.
During his visit, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh paid courtesy calls on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra.
At the conclusion of the consultations, the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary extended an invitation to his Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Dhaka for the Fifth Round of Foreign Office Consultations next year.
The Bangladeshi delegation included High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias, along with senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Shipping, and Commerce, and the Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody, Director General of South Asia & SAARC Division Samantha Pathirana, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and other related agencies.