Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka on Wednesday (April 24) morning for Bangkok on a six-day official visit to Thailand at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:13 am, said the premier's Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam.

The aircraft is scheduled to land at Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok at 1:30pm local time.

"It's both a bilateral and multilateral visit," said Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at a media briefing on Monday, marking the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Thailand on April 24-29.

He said the visit is significant for both the sides as it will open a new window of cooperation between the two friendly countries, Bangladesh and Thailand.

It will be the first bilateral visit of the premier after formation of the present government in January last.

During her visit, Sheikh Hasina will hold bilateral talks with Thai Prime Minister Thavisin and also attend the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Bangladesh and Thailand will sign a number of cooperation documents including a letter of intent on negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries, said the Foreign Minister.

Bangladesh and Thailand are likely to sign an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation while two more MoUs on tourism sector cooperation and duty related mutual cooperation to expand the relations, he said.

On April 26, the premier will be formally received by her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin while a ceremonial guard of honor will be accorded to her.

On the same day, Sheikh Hasina will hold bilateral talks with Thavisin at the Government House (Prime Minister's Office) following a tete-a-tete between the two leaders, witness the signing of documents, participate in a joint press conference and then attend a state lunch to be hosted by her Thai counterpart in her honour there.

During the visit, the prime minister will have a Royal audience of Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan, King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Palace.

BDST: 1056 HRS, APR 24, 2024
MN/SMS