Bangladesh, Nepal to work together for power sector development

Bangladesh and Nepal have agreed to enhance trade and investment between the two countries as well as cooperate with each other for the development of the power sector.

The consensus came at a bilateral meeting held between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Nepalese counterpart Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plazza in Nepal yesterday.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

Karim said both the leaders discussed the bilateral and regional cooperation.

Nepal is a very important country for Bangladesh, Hasina said.

The main aim of the countries in the region, especially Bangladesh, is to eradicate poverty, she said.

"We not only want our own development, we also want our neighbours to develop."

The Bangladeshi premier offered Nepal to use the seaports of Bangladesh and Syedpur airport for business and travel purposes.

Hasina emphasised strengthening the regional connectivity and said Bangladesh can share its experience in disaster management with Nepal. She also recalled the Nepalese support towards Bangladesh during the liberation war in 1971.

The Nepalese prime minister also stresses the need for exploring opportunities to enhance the cooperation between the two nations.

A memorandum of understanding has already been signed for export of 500 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh, Oli said.

The Nepalese prime minister expressed his happiness as Hasina accepted his invitation and joined the fourth Bimstec summit in Kathmandu.

Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Nepalese Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi were, among others, present.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams were also present.

Later, Chief Adviser (head of interim government) of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Wangchuk met Hasina at the same place.

Wangchuk informed Hasina about the upcoming election in Bhutan.

According to the constitution, the parliament in Bhutan has been dissolved and the new government will take oath by October 31, said the adviser.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the existing friendly ties between the two countries and hoped that the relationship will further be strengthened in the days to come.

The Bhutanese chief adviser recalled his visit to Bikramapur in Bangladesh.

 Later, Hasina along with other Bimstec leaders paid a joint call on Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari at Sheetal Nibash, the Presidential Palace, in the capital city. They also attended a luncheon there hosted by the Nepalese president.