Bangladesh and Thailand on Friday struck five bilateral documents for visa exemption, cooperation on energy, tourism and customs matters and negotiation of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

The documents – an agreement, three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Letter of Intent (LOI) – were inked in presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Bangkok following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at Government House (Thai Prime Minister's Office).

The documents are agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports, MoUs on Energy Cooperation, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters and Cooperation in the field of tourism and LOI to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024, reports BSS.

Two MoUs on energy cooperation and tourism cooperation were signed by Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud from the Bangladesh side while agreement on Visa Exemption by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, LOI by State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu and another MoU on Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters signed by National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem.

Talking about signing the bilateral documents at a joint press conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the two sides agreed to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024 and the two countries have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on the issue.

She said the two countries signed the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports to facilitate smooth contact between Thai and Bangladeshi officials.

MoU on energy cooperation was inked to explore the potential of energy cooperation, the premier said, "MoUs on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters was signed to benefit from Thai knowledge, experiences and the final MoU in the field of tourism was inked to benefit from the best tourism practices."

The Thai prime minister, at the joint press conference, said Thailand and Bangladesh are committed to working together towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expressed optimism that the Letter of Intent would help to expedite the negotiation process.

He said the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports will facilitate more travel between Thai and Bangladeshi officials while the MoU on Energy Cooperation will help materialise the two countries' true potential from energy cooperation.

Besides, the MoU on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters will lead to effective border control and anti-smuggling operations while the MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism will allow the two countries to exchange knowledge, experiences and best practices in the areas, he added.

On her arrival at the government House, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was accorded a warm welcome at the front lawn of Thai Koh Fah Building there as red carpet was rolled out.

She inspected the Guard of Honour given by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Thai armed forces.

Srettha Thavisin introduced his cabinet members to Sheikh Hasina before she signed the guest book of the Government House.

The premier also joined an official luncheon there before leaving the House.

Before joining the luncheon, Sheikh Hasina visited a Thai handicrafts exhibition at the government house. She was accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and Bangabandhu’s grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq.

On April 24, the Bangladesh premier arrived in Thailand on a six-day official visit at the invitation of her Thai counterpart.

‘Bangladesh, Thailand have scopes to boost cooperation in different fields’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said Bangladesh and Thailand have the opportunity to strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy and ICT.

"I strongly feel that we have the opportunity to strengthen our cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, food security, tourism, public health, energy, ICT, people-to-people contacts and connectivity, and also under the BIMSTEC," she said, addressing the official luncheon meeting hosted by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at his office, the government house.

In the luncheon, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with Thailand as an immediate neighbour.

"Our friendship is deeply rooted in historical, linguistic, and common cultural heritage. The warm and cordial relations between our two friendly countries are ever-growing in multi-faceted areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, sustainable development, people-to-people contacts, and connectivity," she added.

The Bangladesh premier said Prime Minister Thavisin and she discussed at length the bilateral and regional issues of mutual interests.

"We agreed to make all efforts to enhance our bilateral trade and encourage more interactions between the public and private entities of the two countries. Likewise, we must make all efforts to promote and facilitate bilateral investments," she said.

The agreement and MoUs that Dhaka and Bangkok signed on Friday would provide a solid framework for enhancing bilateral cooperation, she added.

Talking about her visit, Sheikh Hasina said the visit is part of broader focus on the "neighbourhood" policy, which has provided an excellent opportunity for the two countries to further renew the momentum in the bilateral relations.

"I am confident that this visit will go a long way in deepening the relations between our two countries," she said.

The premier said she firmly believes this visit would provide the much-needed impetus to the bilateral relations to its full potential.

"This official visit will remain a milestone in our bilateral relations. It has ushered in a new era of fruitful partnership between our two countries. We need to sustain the renewed momentum in our relationship for the mutual benefit of our people and countries in the days ahead," she said.