DHAKA: The third round of bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and South Africa was held Wednesday morning at the foreign ministry in city, says a press release, issued by External Publicity Wing of the ministry.
It said the additional foreign secretary ambassador Mizanur Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation, while his counterpart Dr A Sooklal, deputy director general of Asia and Middle East of Department of International Relation and Cooperation led the South African delegation.
Both the sides were comprised of senior officials from other Ministries and Departments of both the governments.
The bilateral consultations covered issues which included: cooperation in economic relations and trade, cooperation between police services, mutual legal assistances and extradition treaties, migration issues, cooperation in transport (air services), agriculture, forestry, fisheries, education, and in rural development and land reform.
The Bangladesh side handed over a list of 206 potential exportable products for duty free/quota free access or access in lower rate in the South African market.
Both the sides also agreed on early finalization of some draft agreements: Protocol for regular Diplomatic Consultations between the two countries, Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation, Concluding Air Services Agreement establishing direct air connection between Dhaka and Johannesburg and Agreement on Visa Waiver for Diplomatic & Official Passport holders.
Bangladesh delegation highlighted the need for opening a South African Mission in Dhaka to boost trade and business, investment, education, tourism as well as augmenting the people to people contact which the African delegation appreciated and assured to open a resident Mission at an early date.
The meeting also decided to hold the next round of bilateral meeting in South Africa at a mutually convenient time.
The first round of talks was held in Dhaka in 2012 and second round of talks was held in Pretoria in 2013.
Besides, Nomaindiya Mfeketo, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relation and Co Operation of South Africa (DIRCO) is visiting Bangladesh from 18-19 August 2015.
During her visit, she called on the home minister, minister for expatriates welfare and overseas employment and the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs and the foreign secretary and discussed matters of mutual interest.
BDST: 1815 HRS, AUG 19, 2015
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