Bangladesh and Morocco have signed an agreement on avoidance of double taxation and a protocol on foreign office consultations.
Published : 01 Mar 2018, 01:00 PM
Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita signed the two instruments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rabat on Wednesday.
This followed a bilateral meeting where they discussed the bilateral issues, the foreign ministry said.
The Moroccan foreign minister discussed the possibility of technical assistance and cooperation in phosphate fertiliser industry in Bangladesh, including production of customised and cost-effective phosphate fertiliser suitable for different types of soil.
At his invitation, the Bangladesh delegation visited OCP Group office, a global market leader of phosphate and its derivatives and a key player in the international phosphate market since 1920.
Morocco holds 75 percent of the phosphate reserves of the world, and is ranked third in the world in its production.
Bangladesh exports jute and knitwear products while imports mineral products and products of chemical or allied industry, according to the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The two-way trade was around $2OO million in 2O13 with only $4 million Bangladesh’s exports.
After signing the agreements, Ali and Bourita spoke at a joint press conference.
Both sides stressed holding regular foreign office consultations and high-level visits with a view to further strengthening the existing bilateral relations.
They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, and pledged to support each other at the UN and other international fora.
The foreign minister also called on Prime Minister of Morocco Dr Saad Eddine El Otmani at the latter’s office. He conveyed greetings from President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the King of Morocco through the Moroccan prime minister.
Morocco praised Bangladesh for its “constructive and proactive roles” in consolidating Muslim Ummah under the OIC.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco Sultana Laila Hossain and senior government officials were present during the meetings.