Thai Ambassador Ms. Makawadee Sumitmor met with Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Sumitmor congratulated Md. Jashim Uddin on his new role and reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to enhancing bilateral ties.
The meeting covered various areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, coastal shipping, agro-business, tourism, and people-to-people contact. The Foreign Secretary emphasized the importance of regular bilateral consultations and the swift finalization of pending agreements. Both parties expressed hope that the BIMSTEC Summit would be held soon.
Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin expressed satisfaction with the activation of the ‘Visa Exemption Agreement’ for Bangladesh official passports starting mid-December 2024. Ambassador Sumitmor announced that Thailand would soon introduce an E-visa service, allowing applicants to apply online and receive their visas electronically.
During the discussions, Ambassador Sumitmor highlighted the positive impact of the Thai Trade delegation’s visit to Bangladesh in July 2024. Both officials stressed the need to convene the 6th Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Dhaka as soon as possible, paving the way for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The Ambassador also mentioned the potential trial run of direct coastal shipping between Ranong Port and Chattogram Port.
Additionally, the Foreign Secretary sought Thailand’s cooperation in sharing knowledge, innovation, and expertise to promote and brand Bangladeshi cuisine.
