Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to fly Thailand today (Wednesday) to pay a six-day official visit at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin to strengthen ties between the two countries.
"The scheduled bilateral visit of the Prime Minister will be the first-ever visit at the level of head of government from Bangladesh to Thailand since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. However, it is also the first visit of the Primer after shoring in power on January 7, 2024 to abroad," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters at a media briefing.
However, on April 26, 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be formally received by the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin while a ceremonial guard of honour will be accorded to her.
On the same day, the Bangladesh Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at the Government House.
During the Visit, the Prime Minister will have royal audience of His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan, King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the palace.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is also scheduled to attend a state lunch to be hosted by her counterpart in her honour.
The visit is significant for both Bangladesh and Thailand as it will open new windows of cooperation between the two friendly countries, Minister Hasan said.
Thai government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said Ms Hasina is coming to visit under an invitation by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, during the visit, both leaders will witness the signing of various agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, he said.
Mr Srettha will also host a lunch for Ms Hasina and her delegation at Government House, he said. The visit will be Ms Hasinas first since 2002, Mr Chai said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister said in her multilateral engagement PM Hasina is scheduled to attend the 80th Session of the Commission for UNESCAP.
"She will deliver a speech at UNESCAP on April 25. On the same day, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjabana will call on the prime minister," he said.
"We expected that a number of cooperation documents including a letter of intent on negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries will be signed during the visit," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said.
The Prime Minister would lead a high-level delegation which includes Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and PMs Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will accompany the prime minister during April 24-29 visit. State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu will also be part of the Bangladesh delegation.
