(VOVWORLD) - President Tran Dai Quang began a State visit to Bangladesh on Sunday at the invitation of Bangladeshi President Mohammad Abdul. The visit shows Vietnam’s respect for strengthening its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Bangladesh.
 President Tran Dai Quang pays a state visit to Bangladesh |
Since Bangladesh and Vietnam established diplomatic ties on February 11, 1973, the two countries have strengthened friendship and cooperation in various areas.
During his visit, President Tran Dai Quang is scheduled to hold talks with the Prime Minister, meet the President, Parliament Speaker, leaders of the Workers’ Party, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Bangladesh.
Solid foundation for bilateral ties
Both Vietnamese and Bangladeshi people experienced national liberation struggles. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Vietnam’s national liberation struggle inspired the Bangladeshis in their fight for independence in 1971.
Over the past several years, the two countries have maintained regular exchanges of high-ranking visits. President Mohammad Abdul Hamid visited Vietnam in 2015 and Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in 2017. Activities introducing Vietnam’s culture and people have been held in Bangladesh including a Vietnam Food Festival, publication of the book “President Ho Chi Minh’s testament” in Bangla and a seminar on President Ho Chi Minh’s life and career.
The strengthened friendship and political understanding between the two countries’ leaders and peoples are considered major achievements of their ties.
New prospects for bilateral cooperation
President Quang’s visit to Bangladesh creates new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. During the visit, a number of MoU on bilateral cooperation in livestock production, fisheries, machinery engineering, culture, and training are expected to be signed. President Quang is scheduled to attend the Vietnam-Bangladesh Business Forum on Tuesday which is expected to attract 300 enterprises of both countries. The Forum is an opportunity for the two countries to realize their target of 1 billion USD in trade this year. Mr. Quang will also attend the opening ceremony of Vietnam Culture Days in Dhaka.
More than 100 representatives of Vietnamese enterprises accompanying President Quang will meet their Bangladeshi partners. The two sides are expected to strengthen cooperation in machinery engineering and ICT and share experiences to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals.
New cooperation opportunities have become likely because Bangladesh is working to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN.
Mr. Quang’s first visit to Bangladesh, the first by a Vietnamese President since 2004 is of particular importance as the two countries celebrate the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.