Dhaka and Colombo have emphasized the need to expedite negotiations for signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to unlock the untapped potential of trade between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This commitment was highlighted during a meeting between Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody and Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka on Tuesday.
In the discussions, the foreign secretary outlined the reform initiatives and priorities of Bangladesh’s interim government aimed at ensuring free, fair, and inclusive elections. Reviewing the status of pending agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the two nations, both parties stressed the importance of concluding agreements on coastal shipping, avoidance of double taxation, and mutual administrative assistance in customs.
They also highlighted the need to hold Foreign Office Consultations to cover a broad range of bilateral issues between the two countries. The high commissioner indicated that Sri Lanka would propose dates for the next round of consultations following Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections on November 14.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation within SAARC, BIMSTEC, and other regional and multilateral platforms.
