Top legislator holds talks with Bangladeshi counterpart

This is part of the agenda of Vuong's ongoing official visit Bangladesh, which takes place on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties (November 2, 1973 – November 2, 2023).

The top Vietnamese legislator congratulated Bangladesh on its recent achievements, especially its average annual GDP growth of more than 7 percent during the 2021-2022 fiscal year, its position as the world's second largest exporter of apparel products and a role model in building green factories.

Last year, two-way trade reached US$1.5 billion, making Bangladesh the second biggest trade partner of Viet Nam in South Asia.

The pair agreed to facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels and across channels, accelerate the implementation of bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation.

Vuong also commended the recent establishment of the Bangladesh-Viet Nam Friendship Association.

He hailed Bangladesh as a promising market with a population of nearly 170 million and called for more favorable conditions to be created for Viet Nam to expand its exports to the South Asian country, particularly those of Viet Nam’s strength such as agricultural machinery, raw materials, household appliances, electronics, and processed agro-fishery products.

Vuong proposed that Bangladesh offer all possible support to the Vietnamese people living and working in the country.

In reply, Chaudhury highly valued the two countries' effort to have organized a policy and law forum to boost bilateral economic, trade and investment ties.

She suggested the Vietnamese firms explore the market and invest in Bangladesh, especially in its special economic zones initiated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

She also encouraged the signing of contracts for tour packages to Viet Nam and Bangladesh, and airlines to open air routes between the two countries.

The two sides were delighted to announce the establishment of the Viet Nam-Bangladesh Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and the Bangladesh-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group.

On global and regional issues of shared concern, the two top legislators agreed to cooperate at multilateral forums, especially the UN and mechanisms led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

They noted that being members of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure offer opportunities for both Viet Nam and Bangladesh to share views and boost coordination over issues of mutual interest, including climate change and human rights.

After the talks, the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two legislative bodies and witnessed the signing of a MoU on cooperation between the two legislature offices./.