Kazakhstan has expressed its keen interest to expand ties with Bangladesh in all possible areas, particularly the trade, investment and manpower.
Bakhitbek Shabarbayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Bangladesh, resident in Islamabad, conveyed the message during his series of meetings here on Sunday.
The envoy, who is currently on an official visit to Bangladesh, met Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shariar Alam, Secretary (Bilateral, Consular and Training) Mustafa Kamal and Director General (West and Central Asia) M Nazrul Islam of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said a Foreign Ministry media release.
The most important issues that featured at the meetings evolved expansion of existing ties with signing of an MoU on Foreign Office Consultations, signing of agreements or bilateral instruments on visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders; trade and economic cooperation; avoidance of double taxation; cultural cooperation; education, science and technology; and civil aviation and tourism.
It was unanimously agreed that these instruments are required, as a firsthand tools, to enhance the relations for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.
The Foreign Minister emphasised exploiting the huge potential of expanding trade between the two countries.
Mahmood Ali also hoped Kazakhstan would import more Bangladesh products, including RMG, pharmaceuticals, jute and jute goods, leather products, as well as other items.
The Ambassador also hoped that Bangladesh would upgrade their status from Observer to full member in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
He informed that Kazakhstan has decided to bid for the membership of ASEM and conveyed his government’s request to support that cause as an important member of its Asian segment.
The Foreign Minister told that the ASEM membership is decided by consensus, and Bangladesh would like to support Kazakhstan.
He mentioned that Bangladesh had supported to set up Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), a specialised body under OIC, based in Astana, Kazakhstan while informing that Bangladesh was actively considering signing of the Statute of IOFS. Kazakh Ambassador told that his government was fully appreciative of this initiative of Bangladesh.
In response to Kazakh Ambassador’s query, the Foreign Minister informed that a relevant cabinet minister from Bangladesh may attend the VII Astana Economic Forum to be hold from 21-23 May 2014.
Source: UNBConnect
