Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Bangladesh will seek duty free access of some of its specific products to Indian markets during the her upcoming visit to the neighbouring country. In this context, she directed the ministries concerned to finalise the list of those products along with preparing strategic papers to this end to further strengthen regional cooperation.

The prime minister gave the directives while presiding over the 2nd meeting of Regional and Sub-Regional Cooperation Committee held at her office here this morning. The meeting was arranged to hold a pre-discussion on the areas where Bangladesh and India can more cooperative and on what agreements can be signed during the Bangladesh Primer's visit to India next month, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Nazrul Islam. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, he said the prime minister laid emphasis on a number of areas including road, rail and river links, people to people connectivity, environment, access to media and telecommunications, environment, agriculture, education, maritime boundary, power, agriculture, trade and business and regional tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister asked the ministries concerned to prepare outlines on the specific agendas ahead of her visit to India in the middle of next month. She said India has an important role in increasing connectivity in the region. Sheikh Hasina said easy access to media has to be increased to expedite connectivity in the region. Describing poverty as the main enemy in the South Asian region, she said, "We can exchange our needs and demands by maintaining friendly relations with our neighboring countries". Besides, she said bilateral discussion could be taken place on Agriculture, education and maritime boundary during her visit to India.

The prime minister directed the ministries concerned to finalise the outline of the projects on Construction of Agartola- Akhaura Rail link, Establishment of Open Alternative Submarine Cable Link, Construction of Rail cum Road Bridge Over the River Karnaphuli at Kalurghat, Support to Post Harvest Technology, value addition of fruits and vegetables ahead of her India tour. She said these projects would help enhance regional cooperation. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen, Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Communications Minister Abul Hossain, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, Prime Minister's Adviser HT Imam, Dr. Mashiur Rahman and Dr Towfiq-e- Elahi Chowdhury attended the meeting. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Mollah Waheeduzzaman and secretaries concerned were present.

-Daily Star