Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to Thailand today on a six-day official visit. Apart from participating in bilateral meetings during the visit, he will attend the 80th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNSCAP).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, this is the first visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Thailand in 52 years of diplomatic relations. The visit is “significant” for both countries in the context of opening a “new window of cooperation” between the two friendly states.

The Prime Minister will leave Dhaka with his entourage from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Thailand at 10 am on Wednesday (April 24). Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu and other high level officials of the government are accompanying the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister of Thailand Shretha Thavisin will officially welcome the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in Bangkok. Sheikh Hasina will be given a red carpet reception at the airport. After that, there will be a bilateral meeting between the two Prime Ministers at the Government House of Thailand. On the same day, United Nations Under-Secretary and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific Region Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alishabana will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In the bilateral meeting with Thailand, 5 documents will be signed between the two countries. Foreign Minister said in a press conference on Monday. Hashan Mahmud said that several cooperation agreements including letter of intent (letter of agreement) will be signed on the negotiation of free trade agreement between Bangladesh and Thailand during this visit.

Visa exemption for holders of official passports of Bangladesh and Thailand, memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation may be signed. Apart from this, two more MoUs on cooperation in the tourism sector and mutual cooperation on customs may be signed to expand the relationship.