Abrar Hussain: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her view of boosting cooperation between Bangladesh and Thailand in the agricultural sector when Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhom met with her at Hasina’s office yesterday morning.
After the meeting, the prime minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters saying that the Premier and Thai princess mainly discussed the agriculture sector and emphasized enhanced cooperation between the two countries in this field, adding that the issue of increasing cooperation on the food processing sector also came up for discussion, reports The Dhaka Tribune.
The prime minister praised Maha Chakri Sirindhom of her government’s different initiatives, including the “Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar” project and micro-savings scheme.
While discussing Bangladesh’s success in the agricultural sector, Hasina added that Bangladeshi scientists have innovated rice strains that are resistant to salinity, flooding, and drought to increase food production.
Sheikh Hasina told the Thai princess that Bangladesh has become self-sufficient in fresh water fish and is producing a huge quantity of meat every year from black Bengal goats, cows, and lambs.
The prime minister reportedly showed interest in boosting cooperation on mango cultivation as Thailand is famous for producing the popular fruit round-the-year.
In reply, the Thai princess informed the premier that her country has provided “vetiver grass” to Bangladesh through a project.
“The grass is tall and thick, and helps protect the soil from erosion,” she said.
She added that Thailand is importing Bangladeshi litchis, which is very popular among the Thai people.
The PM’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Sayeeda Muna Tasneem, and Thai Ambassador in Dhaka Panpimon Suwannapongse were present at the occasion.