Bangladesh PM Hasina, Indonesia President Widodo for better trade pact

Bangladesh and Indonesia have sought duty-free access of goods from each other.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indonesian President Joko Widodo made the calls in a meeting on the sidelines of the 60th Asian-African Conference Commemoration in Jakarta on Thursday.

After the meeting, Hasina’s Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury said the leaders of the two big countries in terms of population stressed bilateral cooperation, especially on trade-related issues.

“Time has come to do businesses well,” he said quoting Hasina as telling Widodo.

Hasina also sought Indonesia’s help to use its maritime experience, including shipbuilding.

The Indonesian president sought duty-free access of goods like coal, clinker, pepper and edible oil to Bangladesh.

Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said Hasina stressed bilateral cooperation in the private sector.
 
“She also said she thought the private sectors of the two countries could discuss the purchase of coal from Indonesia,” Haque said.

A joint communiqué was issued after the meeting.
 
Referring to the communiqué, Haque said Bangladesh sought duty-free access for 129 goods.
 
Indonesia said it would check the list.
 
The joint communiqué stressed cooperation in the fields of clothing, agriculture, tourism, education, culture, shipbuilding and maritime matters.

According to the communiqué, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in agriculture, power and maritime issues would be signed.