Bangladesh and Thailand have agreed to expand trade in a balanced way within the framework of a broader bilateral cooperation, reports UNB.

The agreement was reached at the fourth session of the Bangladesh-Thailand Joint Commission held recently in Bangkok, officials said in Dhaka yesterday.

Dhaka and Bangkok, under an agreed minutes signed at the conclusion of the session, decided to enhance transparency between the business communities of the two countries for increased Interactions.

Briefing newsmen about the outcome of the meeting, a senior official of the Foreign Ministry said the two governments would act as "facilitators" in the new business drive.

The official appreciated the rapid development of Thailand's industrial sector. Thailand has achieved an Impressive and steady economic growth over the past few years, and Thal Industry is now poised to graduate to higher technology," he said.

There is now ample scope for relocation of their industries at mid-technology level to Bangladesh."

Foreign Secretary Reaz Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation at the meeting. The team included Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury. Director General (economic affairs) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The next meeting of the Joint Commission will be held In Dhaka next year at a mutually convenient time.

During his stay in Bangkok, Reaz Rahman called on Thai Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri and his Thai counterpart Dr Paracha Guna-Kasem.

They discussed expansion of cooperation between the two countries, particularly In the field of joint Investment, maritime and civil aviation, tourism, fisheries and livestock and cultural affairs.

Members of the Bangladesh delegation also met senior members of the Federation of Thai Industry and visited some industrial plants.

The official observed that the cooperation between Thailand, a member of ASEAN, and Bangladesh, current chairman of the SAARC, could help forge and important linkage between the two Asian sub-regions.