Bangladesh has always attached immense importance to Thailand, the emerging economic tiger and a prime investment paradise of Asia. Since the inception of Thailand’s Look West policy, bilateral relations between two countries has deepened and endured. Closer ties of friendship and constructive engagement in economic and security cooperation made Thailand a time tested and reliable partner of Bangladesh. Official visit of President Zia to Thailand in 1978 and Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra to Bangladesh in 2004 and high-level Ministerial exchange consolidated political as well as diplomatic ties between these two BIMSTEC countries.
The volume of trade, joint investment, scientific and technological cooperation have also grown by leaps and bound. At present Bangladesh exports include shrimps, fibers, fertilizer and leather while it imports aluminum, fabrics, shoes, refrigerator and rubber from Thailand. Thailand recognizes Bangladesh’s enormous opportunity in exporting food, fruits and vegetable, jute and leather products. Thailand is very keen to invest in Bangladesh especially in medical and public health services sectors. Furthermore, joint venture projects are being planned in areas covering textiles, fishery, garment, construction industry, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications.
In the coming days, Thailand and Bangladesh will be closer. People to people contact and cross cultural ties will ignite a new era of friendship network between both countries. Transport links in all dimensions particularly through Asian Highway will be strengthened and telecommunication networks will be more interconnected. Cooperation in information technology, liberalization of investment sectors and gradual withdrawal of tariffs will reenergize trade partnership as well. A Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate trade and commerce is expected to sign in the near future.
Collaboration in anti narcotics, drug trafficking and counter terrorism drives, disaster management and post disaster rehabilitation, maritime cooperation, and energy security through energy conservation and use of bio-fuel will get highest priority. Thailand will boost import from Bangladesh and amplify investment on tourism and health sectors. Bangladesh shall also twice its jewelry import from the world leading jewelry exporter, Thailand.
Bangladesh will therefore continue to promote partnership with Thailand to further enhance opportunities and to work together to address economic and security challenges in the years to come.