MR to visit Bangladesh

15 April 2011 07:05 am

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will pay a five day state visit to Bangladesh from next Monday to Friday on the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This is the first state visit of President Rajapaksa to that country.

Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were formally established in 1972 and the Sri Lankan High Commission in Dhaka was set up in 1979. In addition to the Mission in Dhaka there is an Honorary Consul functioning from Chittagong.

Sri Lanka’s Exports to Bangladesh have shown a healthy and steady growth during the past years. The total value of exports in 2010 stood at US$ 35.54mn registering a growth of 36% compared to the value in 2009.

Mihin Air has recently launched its service between the two countries. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have signed several Memorandums of Understanding, for Agricultural Research in the Fisheries Sector and for Export Promotion. SAJ