Expansion of trade and investment opportunities between Dhaka and Manila will be the main focus during the ensuing three-day official visit of President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines.

A number of agreements and protocols on business links and cultural cooperation signed between the two countries previously. but now dormant, are likely to be reactivated during the visit.

The Philippines President arrives in Dhaka on March 5 at 9 am at the head of a 120-mem-ber delegation. His entourage includes Foreign Minister Domingo L Slazon. the Minister for Trade and Industry, two other ministers, leaders of business and industry and media representatives.

A 35-member trade delegation would be accompanying the President Ramos.

President Shahabuddin Ahmed will receive Fidel Ramos at the Zia International Airport. A 19-gun salute will herald his arrival. From the airport, the two presidents will

ride in a ceremonial motorcade to state guest house Jamuna where the distinguished visitor would be residing.

This would be the first top level visit by a Filipino leader after the independence of Bangladesh. Earlier, President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. President H M Ershad and Prime Minister Ataur Rahman Khan had visited the Philippines.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would be paying a courtesy call on President Ramos at the Jamuna immediately after the latter's arrival.

Official talks will take place between the Bangladesh side led by Sheikh Hasina and the Filipino side led by Fidel Ramos at the Prime Minister's office on March 5.

Increase of commercial interaction between the two countries by identifying new areas and commodities for export and import would be the main thrust of the official talks.

Foreign Ministry officials said the volume of trade between the two countries now is "at a very insignificant level" although Bangladesh enjoys a favourable trade surplus by exporting Jute goods and some traditional items.

Diplomatic sources indicated that discussions would he held on reactivating and materialising a number of agreements and protocols signed on previous occasions between the two countries. These include revival of the Bangladesh-Philippines Joint Economic Commission and fixing a date for its next meeting. Talks will also focus on materialising a protocol for establishing direct air links between Dhaka and Manila and two previously signed agreements on educational programmes and exchange of cultural delegations on a regular basis.

Fidel Ramos will address a gathering of local business and industry leaders organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at a city hotel.

Ramos and the Minister for Trade and Industry along with the visiting businessmen would discuss with Bangladeshi entrepreneurs the possibility of setting up joint venture industries in the two countries.

President Shahabuddin will host a state banquet in honour of the President Ramos at the Bangabhaban.

During his stay, Ramos will meet the Filipino community living and working in Bangladesh at a reception at a local hotel.

He will visit the National Memorial at Savar to pay respects to the Bangladesh Liberation War heroes.

President Ramos will leave Dhaka for Islamabad on March 7 at 11:30 am.