Special Correspondent //

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Friday urged Thai Prime Minister Pheu Thai to ease visa process for Bangladeshi nationals to travel to Thailand.

He raised the issue during a meeting with the Thai Prime Minister on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit. The Chief Adviser said that the limited capacity of the Thai Embassy in Dhaka to handle visa procedures is causing long delays for Bangladeshis and long queues are forming in the visa process.

Those who come to Thailand for medical treatment are facing many visa-related problems, Professor Yunus commented and requested the Thai Prime Minister to cooperate in this regard.

Thai Prime Minister Pheu Thai assured the Bangladeshi Chief Adviser that he will look into the matter.

The Chief Advisor also called for the development of trade, shipping and maritime relations between the two countries and increased air connectivity. Professor Yunus said that the launch of direct flights from Chittagong, Bangladesh, would reduce the travel time between the two countries. He recalled the experience of Air Asia launching flights on the Chittagong-Chiang Mai route a decade ago, which had a significant impact on business and tourism.

The Thai Prime Minister congratulated Professor Yunus on assuming the responsibility as the Chairman of BIMSTEC and said that the Bangladeshi leader will bring new momentum to the regional grouping.

Professor Yunus began his meeting by mentioning the long-standing and excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand. He paid tribute to the late King Bhumibol of Thailand, who played a significant role in recognizing Bangladesh’s independence in 1972.

Investment was also discussed during the meeting. Professor Yunus invited Thai companies to attend the investment conference to be held in Dhaka next week.

He also said that the improvement of rail, road, sea and air connectivity is very important for increasing trade between the two countries. In this context, he said that Bangladesh is willing to participate in the highway project between Thailand, India and Myanmar, when the conditions are suitable.

Professor Yunus proposed that the two countries initiate a joint feasibility study, so that formal discussions on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries can be initiated.

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