GENEVA/DHAKA, June 16, 2023 (BSS) - World Trade Organization (WTO) director general Dr Okonjo Iwela has called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her place of residence in Geneva, Switzerland.
 
  During the meeting held on Thursday, the WTO director general (DG) asked Bangladesh to reduce the subsidies on fisheries.
 
  Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters regarding the outcome of the call on.
 
  The WTO DG also said that they would sign an agreement with Bangladesh for this purpose.
 
  Momen, however, said that Bangladesh does not give heavy subsidies on fisheries.
 
  He said that the WTO DG mentioned about the dispute settlement body of the WTO which is inactive for couple of years for some big countries.
 
  The WTO DG requested the prime minister to raise the issue when she goes to the G-20 meeting to be held in next September in New Delhi and other international forums so that this dispute settlement body becomes activated.
 
  "This is the main strength of the WTO," the DG said.
 
  The 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13) will be held in Abu Dhabi in February next year.
 
  The Prime Minister said that she is expecting that Bangladesh's graduation will be confirmed in that meeting.
 
  The WTO DG asked Bangladesh to diversify its export basket.
 
   She wanted Bangladesh, in this connection, to put emphasis on pharmaceuticals and IT sector reducing dependency on RMG export.
 
  Regarding fishing in Deep Sea, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has lack of capabilities in this sector and that is why she laid emphasis on taking expertise experience from Japan, Thailand and the Maldives.
 
  The Prime Minister said that she has already talked with the Maldives and Japan in this regard.
 
    Earlier, Qatar's Labour Minister Dr Ali Bin Samik Al Marri called on the Prime Minister at the same venue and said there are some 3.70 lakh Bangladeshis working in his country.
 
   He said that they are satisfied with the performance of these labours.
 
  "And they have expressed their interest to take more manpower from Bangladesh," Momen said, adding "They will ink an agreement for this purpose."