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Dhaka, Yangon plan trade expansion

Khaleda visits Myanmar March 19

SHAHRIAR KARIM
Bangladesh and Myanmar will set up a joint trade commission during Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's visit to Yangon this month.
A foreign ministerial joint commission will also be set up to oversee bilateral relations.
The two neighbours will pen agreements to introduce "ac-
counts trade" and coastal shipping links to boost trade, according to foreign ministry sources.
Thailand will later be included in the shipping deal, making it a tripartite arrangement, they said.
Khaleda is expected to leave Dhaka for Yangon on March 19 on an invitation from Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar Than Shew.
Details of the visit are being worked out, foreign office sources said.
Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other high government officials are expected to accompany the PM.
It was not known whether any agreement on repatriation of the Rohingya refugees will be signed.
Foreign office sources said Myanmar has assured that the refugees would be taken back after identity verification.
"Both sides are optimistic that the issue would be resolved soon," a highly placed source at the foreign office said.
The two neighbours will also change the existing border trade agreement signed in 1994 to prohibit trading of third-country products, commerce ministry sources said. Manufactured goods will require at least 30 per cent value addition to be traded.
The account trade arrangement would initiate two-way transactions of goods without the need for cash payment.
Dhaka and Yangon decided to set up a taskforce to work out details of the proposed road link between the two neighbours during Myanmar foreign minister U Wing Aung's visit this week.
The proposed joint trade commission to be headed by the commerce ministers of the two countries will regularly review trade and identify products for exchange. The commission will also identify and resolve trade problems.
Under the coastal shipping deal, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Teknaf will be linked to the Myanmar ports of Yangon, Akyub and Maungdaw.
In 2000-2001, the volume of trade between the two countries was around $26 million. Bangladesh's imports from Myanmar were worth $24.69 million while its exports fetched only $1.09 million, leaving a trade gap of $23.77 million against Bangladesh.
The trade volume in 2001-2002 came down to around $19 million with trade imbalance still against Bangladesh at $14.5 million, official sources said.
Bangladesh's main export items to Myanmar are jute carpet, jute yarn, jute twine and pharmaceuticals while its imports are wood, articles of wood and vegetable products.
sible for our poor performance," Mashud told reporters.
He accepted that the disastrous campaign had shocked millions of fans in the country, but appealed to everybody to stand by the players.
"We have disgraced our fans but we also need their support to overcome the shock in the coming home series against South Africa."
Replying to a query the 26-year-old said that he was adamant against continuing as captain. Mashud had earlier decided to step down after the World Cup.
"I will talk to the Board and my family before making a final decision."
Kamal refused to make any comment regarding the dismal showing of his boys.
"It was disappointing performance. I will talk only after submitting my report to the Board," said the former Pakistan Test bowler.
A grim-faced manager ASM Faruque also said that it was his failure to motivate the team after the stunning defeat against Canada in the opening match on February 11.
Bangladesh left for South Africa with a promise to beat Canada and Kenya. But they suffered a stunning 60-run defeat against the North American minnows and then lost to their East African rivals in the last game at the Wanderers on March 1.
It could have been much worse had rain not saved them against the West Indies.
The failed mission served as a shattering blow to the newest Test nation, who has not won a single limited-overs match since their famous victory against Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup in England.