Bangladesh & Sri Lanka to sign six deals

Bangladesh & Sri Lanka have decided to sign six agreements on investments, exports, exchange programmes, agriculture, fisheries and education to further intensify bilateral ties between the two countries.

The decision to sign the agreements was taken at the first-ever foreign secretary level consultation between Bangladesh & Sri Lanka held in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes led the Bangladesh delegation while his counterpart Chrysantha Romesh Jayasinghe led the Sri Lanka delegation.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, both sides agreed to sign and implement the following agreements as early as possible: Promotion and reciprocal protection of investment, deal between the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka and Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh, deal on cultural, educational and scientific exchange programmes, deal between Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of Bangladesh, deal between Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy, and agreement between Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh. The foreign secretaries agreed that early consultations would be held between the tax authorities in order to revise and attune the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Fiscal Evasion law 1988.

Diplomatic sources said the agreements are likely to be signed during the upcoming visit of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse to Bangladesh, tentatively after March.

During the consultation, Mijarul Quayes sought support for Bangladesh's candidature for the non-permanent membership of the UNSC for the period of 2016-17. The Sri Lankan side assured him of considering the request.

The two sides agreed to establish a joint working group at director general level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs to follow up on the decisions taken at various bilateral forums including the foreign secretary level consultations.

Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral trade and increase people to people contacts. They agreed to establish linkages between universities, educational institutions, museums and conduct youths and cultural delegations exchange.

Sri Lanka also agreed to explore Bangladesh's proposal to train its nurses there. They also emphasised the need to share experiences in other identified areas of skills development.

The next round of foreign office consultations that is annual foreign secretary level consultations will be held in Colombo in 2012 at a mutually convenient time.

Dhaka, Colombo to sign six deals | Local

Sri Lanka Loses BIMSTEC HQ to Bangladesh

Sri Lanka’s foreign policy was dealt another major blow when its diplomatic bid to have the BIMSTEC or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation secretariat established in Colombo was out-voted and the offer bid went to Bangladesh instead.

Sri Lanka had launched a major diplomatic campaign to have the BIMSTEC secretariat established in Colombo, but lost in a secret ballot among BIMSTEC member-states.

The secretariat will now be established in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital.

The regional grouping comprises India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan & Nepal countries that face the Bay of Bengal area.

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris failed to turn up at the BMISTEC Ministerial meeting in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw on January 22, though scheduled to attend the meeting where the vote was taken.

Bangladesh was represented by its articulate Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, the absent Dr. Peiris’ counterpart. The result -- Sri Lanka lost its stepped up diplomatic efforts to have the BIMSTEC secretariat established in Colombo.

Since President Mahinda Rajapaksa chaired the BIMSTEC ministerial meeting in Colombo in November last year, Sri Lanka showed a keen interest in setting up the secretariat in Colombo. The Government lobbied the member countries.

Bangladesh, which was a strong contender, in terms of a package offered by Sri Lanka during the ministerial meeting last year, was asked to nominate the secretary general whilst allowing Colombo to house the secretariat. Member countries had consented to the move, EAM sources said yesterday.

EAM officials briefed visiting delegates last year of Government’s plans to have a purpose-built BIMSTEC secretariat in Colombo. It was to house the office of this regional grouping as well as an auditorium amongst other facilities.

At the ministerial meeting in Naypyidaw, a formal decision was to be made on the venue for the secretariat. Instead of taking part in the event, lobbying the member countries to stick to their promises, Dr. Peiris had accompanied President Rajapaksa on his private visit to the United States. President Rajapaksa was in Houston from January 19 for medical reasons and returned to Sri Lanka last Thursday.

It is not immediately clear whether Dr. Peiris told President Rajapaksa of the importance of the BIMSTEC meeting. An EAM official said he could have attended the event and later flown to Houston if his presence was required.

In the absence of Dr. Peiris, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni lobbied his counterparts that Dhaka would be the ideal location. Ministers voted in a secret ballot with three voting in favour of Bangladesh and two for Sri Lanka.

As a result, the meeting decided that Sri Lanka will nominate the first secretary general, but lose the hosting of the secretariat. Now, another Joint Working Group meeting is to be held in Dhaka to finalise matters related to the establishment of the secretariat which will become operational this year.

Sri Lanka was represented at the event by the newly appointed Deputy Foreign Minister,Neomal Perera. Since he is relatively new to the field, EAM officials say, it was not possible to conduct intense lobbying to win member support. “This is particularly disappointing since most BIMSTEC member countries had close relations with Sri Lanka,” one official said.

Sri Lanka & Bangladesh to sign key agreements soon

Sri Lanka & Bangladesh is tipped to sign key agreements with very soon.

"A business delegation from Bangladesh reported immense trade potential after their recent visit to Sri Lanka and we hope to set a volatile environment for growth as our ties are strengthened," said Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarath Weragoda.

Important agreements such as the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation, the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement are due to be signed soon.

Agreements such as the Shipping Agreement, Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation & the Agreement on Waiver of Visa have already been signed with positive results.

Sri Lanka News | Sundayobserver.lk

Sri Lanka's Mihin Lanka flies to Bangladesh in December

Direct flights between Bangladesh & Sri Lanka will help to further strengthen bilateral trade among the two countries.

"Direct flights between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be initiated by Mihin Lanka early next month which will provide traders with easy access between the two countries strengthening trade ties further," Sri Lanka Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President Harikesha Wijesekera said.

Speaking at the recent Bangladesh and Sri Lanka International Buyer Seller Meet 2010 held in Colombo he said there are 16 Sri Lankan logistics companies located in Bangladesh which makes trading between the two countries easy.