March 23: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, has said that the bilateral meeting and agreements held in course of President Bidya Devi Bhandari's state visit to Bangladesh would add a new dimension to economic partnership.    
During an interview with correspondents of Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) and Nepal Television in Dhaka on Tuesday (March 23), Minister Gyawali opined that both countries have given same priority in expansion of relation and support with India for strengthening trade relation of both countries.    
He shared that the issue was raised in course of bilateral meeting held between President Bhandari and her counterpart Mohammad Abdul Hamid and other discussions on Monday.    
During the meeting, Nepal proposed for easy trade access of its products in Bangladesh, added Minister Gyawali.    
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and Bangladeshi Foreign Affairs Minister Dr MK Abdul had paid courtesy call on President Bhandari on Monday and a sideline meeting was held between Minister Gyawali and Foreign Affairs Minister Abdul.    
"In these meetings discussions were held to move forward the mutual cordial ties along with economic partnership, and the leaders of both countries during the formal addresses have expressed such commitment," Minister Gyawali said, adding that views were also exchanged on expanding connectivity for promotion of energy, tourism and trade as well as on joint initiatives for reducing climate change risk.    
Minister Gyawali said the agreement of exchange of letters on the Rohanpur-Singhabad transit route reached with Bangladesh has ensured Nepal's access to trade with third countries. He informed that they proposed with Bangladeshi officials for providing easy access to Nepali goods and products in the Bangladeshi market and to reduce the additional customs duties on Nepali goods and products, to reduce the trade deficit.    
He that both Nepal and Bangladesh have a common understanding regarding both countries holding further discussions with India to facilitate energy trade between Nepal and Bangladesh.    
According to him, both countries have a common view on raising issues of common interest in the regional and international forums.    
Asked about his views regarding President Bhandari's state visit to Bangladesh, Minister for Foreign Affairs Gyawali said, "This visit which has taken place on the occasion of the special function commemorating the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman, Bangladesh's Father of Nation, is in itself significant. This short visit has become result-oriented and successful. The relations subsisting at the government and people's level between the two countries have been further consolidated."    
Nepal and Bangladesh signed and exchanged separate Memorandum of Understanding on tourism, culture, sanitization and transit in the presence of the Presidents of both countries following the meeting between them held at the Bangabhaban, the Office of the President of Bangladesh on Monday night.    
President Bhandari had arrived in Dhaka on Monday at the invitation of her Bangladeshi counterpart, Hamid. -- RSS