DHAKA, July 19, 2022 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought a
proactive support of Indonesia and the ASEAN for an early repatriation of the
stranded Myanmar nationals- Rohingyas- from Bangladesh to their homeland
Myanmar.

The minister sought the support at a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh and
Indonesia in Jakarta on Monday, said an official handout here today.

Momen and his Indonesian counterpart Retno L P Marsudi led their respective
delegations in the discussions.

The foreign minister also requested Indonesia for an expeditious decision on
Bangladesh's candidacy for the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership of ASEAN.

During the meeting, foreign ministers of the both countries exchanged
felicitations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic
relations between the two nations.

Both countries agreed to accelerate cooperation in the areas of trade,
investment, agriculture, food, energy, health and pharmaceuticals,
connectivity ICT, tourism, halal trade, human resources development, defence,
youth and cultural exchanges.

They expressed optimism that the MoUs in the pipeline would be concluded soon
and stressed on concluding the bilateral PTA for further strengthening the
economic cooperation.

After the official talks, the two foreign ministers unveiled the official
logo for the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the translation of the historic
7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Indonesian language.

Besides, Momen also met Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan in
Jakarta on the same day.

The two ministers reviewed the trade relations between the two countries and
agreed to expedite the conclusion of the bilateral PTA in this year of Golden
Jubilee of Diplomatic Relations.

Dr Momen requested the Indonesian side to consider favourably Bangladesh's
request for inclusion of RMG items in the PTA in order to address the yawning
trade gap.

He invited the Indonesian Trade Minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually
convenient time this year.

In the evening, Dr Momen addressed a gathering of Indonesian business persons
and investors and urged them to invest in Bangladesh availing the
opportunities prevailing in the fast developing country.

He also unveiled a commercial stamp issued by Bangladesh Embassy in Jakarta
in celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.