Bangladesh and Thailand today inked five bilateral documents for visa exemption, cooperation on energy, tourism and custom matters and negotiation of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

The documents -- an agreement, three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Letter of Intent (LOI)-- were inked in presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Bangkok following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at Government House (Thai Prime Minister's Office) in Thailand.

The documents are agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports, MoUs on Energy Cooperation, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters and Cooperation in the field of tourism and LOI to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024.

Regarding signing documents, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the two sides agreed to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024 and the two countries have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on the issue.

She said the two countries signed the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports to facilitate smooth contact between Thai and Bangladeshi officials.

The Premier said, adding: "MoUs on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters was signed to benefit from Thai knowledge, experiences and the final MoU in the field of tourism was inked to benefit from the best tourism practices."

The Thai Prime Minister, at the joint press conference, said Thailand and Bangladesh are committed to working together towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expressed optimism that the Letter of Intent would help to expedite the negotiation process.

He said the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports will facilitate more travel between Thai and Bangladeshi officials while the MoU on Energy Cooperation will help materialize the two countries' true potential from energy cooperation.

BDST: 1809 HRS, April 26, 2024
MSK