Bangladesh Urges Thailand to Buy More Pharma, Jute Products

Bangladesh has urged Thailand to import more pharmaceuticals and jute products from Bangladesh and reduce duties on Bangladeshi goods to improve their competitiveness in the Thai market and narrow the bilateral trade deficit.

At the fourth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), held at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, the Thai side expressed willingness to consider the proposals and explore ways to expand bilateral trade and investment.

The Thai delegation also called for the early initiation of discussions on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through greater cooperation at bilateral, regional and international levels.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam led the Bangladesh delegation, while Thailand’s delegation was headed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eksiri Pintaruchi.

The consultations reviewed the full range of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, connectivity, labour migration, energy, agriculture, cultural exchanges, education and training, defence, and climate change.

On connectivity, both sides welcomed the launch of the first direct shipping service between Chattogram and Ranong ports in September 2026.

The service is expected to reduce transportation time from around 15 days to just four days, lowering logistics costs and boosting bilateral trade.

Bangladesh also sought Thailand’s technical cooperation and investment in processing Bangladeshi fruits and vegetables, as well as technology transfer to help the country tap into the global halal food market.

Under the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) programme, Bangladesh requested training opportunities for professionals in hospitality, nursing, germplasm and food processing.

Thailand, meanwhile, emphasised sharing its experience of the ‘One Village One Product’ programme.

The two sides agreed to consider several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) under discussion, including agreements on rice imports and labour migration. Both expressed satisfaction with ongoing energy cooperation, according to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bangladesh also referred to the government’s national objective of generating at least 20 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and sought Thailand’s technical expertise in converting agricultural residues and agro-industrial waste into electricity.

Ahead of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Thailand next year, both sides stressed the importance of political-level exchanges and expressed hope that visits by their heads of government could mark the occasion.

They also agreed to pursue joint initiatives to promote cultural and sporting exchanges. Bangladesh offered to share its expertise in cricket and training, while Thailand offered training in taekwondo.

On regional and multilateral cooperation, Bangladesh appreciated Thailand’s continued support for its aspiration to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The Bangladesh delegation also sought Thailand’s support in facilitating the repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Rakhine State in Myanmar.

Both sides acknowledged the growing threat posed by cross-border crimes, including human and arms trafficking, online scams and narcotics trafficking.

They agreed to strengthen cooperation and consider establishing a joint committee under their respective ministries of home affairs to address these challenges.