B’desh to provide transit, seaports access to Nepal: Dipu Moni

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Thursday said Bangladesh is working towards providing transit to Nepal and its access to Chittagong and Mongla seaports.

She made the remark when Nepalese Foreign Secretary Durga Prasad Bhattarai called on her at her office.

The Foreign Minister informed the visiting Foreign Secretary that Rohanpur-Singabad rail transit route is available now to Nepal and the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for allowing Nepalese trucks to enter beyond zero point at Banglabanda is operational.

She emphasised on raising cooperation in water resources and hydro-power for mutual benefit. She informed him that Bangladesh is going to host a meeting of the Joint Working Group in this regard and expects Nepal to participate.

Dipu Moni underscored the need for regular institutional exchanges to maintain momentum in bilateral relations. She mentioned that the recent Commerce Secretary Talks in Kathmandu was a good exercise to boost bilateral trade which is far below potential.

She also congratulated him for signing the MoU for establishing regular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh attaches high importance to the relations with Nepal.

The Nepalese Foreign Secretary conveyed the regards of the Prime Minister of Nepal to the Foreign Minister. He said he is looking forward to holding the next round of Foreign Office Consultation by the end of this year.

He appreciated the government of Bangladesh for allowing Nepal to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports.