December 27, 1972

ABBE PIERRE CALLS ON PM

Abbe Pierre, world renowned philanthropist and chief patron of the United Towns Organisation of Europe, calls on Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Gono Bhaban today and discusses with him his committee's Town Twining Programme in Bangladesh. He is accompanied by the French Charge d'Affaires Phillipe Baude. Pierre, who is heading a 70-member team to Bangladesh says that on behalf of his organisation he has donated $40,000 for the construction of house for low-paid employees. His committee has also taken up a Tk 5 crore plan for Town Twining Scheme and under this scheme 25 different cities of France, Italy, Belgium and Denmark would help for the development of 25 towns in Bangladesh. It may be mentioned that Pierre had supported the Liberation War of Bangladesh and contributed in various ways to the Liberation Movement of the country.

TRADE ACCORD WITH CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND BULGARIA

Bangladesh has recently entered into two trade agreements with Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria for the year 1973. It is learnt that the total turnover of trade envisaged in the agreement with Czechoslovakia would be nearly Tk 10 crores each way. The volume of trade with Bulgaria will be nearly Tk 3.10 crores each way. According to the agreement, Bangladesh will export raw jute goods, tea, leather and other items to Czechoslovakia and import from machineries, China clay, marine engines, and electrical equipment.

Bangladesh will export newsprint, jute goods, handloom products to Bulgaria. The imports from Bulgaria will mostly comprise agricultural sprayers, machineries, port equipment and a few other items.

Source: December 28, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Bangladesh Observer and Ittefaq.