NEPALESE people are celebrating the 56' Auspicious Birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev with a lot of endiusiasm organizing various programs at home and abroad.

On this auspicious occasion, we extend our heartiest greetings and best wishes for His Majesty's good health, happiness and longlife.

Ever since (he establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Nepal and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh cherish very close and cordial ties of friendship and co-operation. A significantly new phase cf co-operation has begun, especially in the areasol trade and transit, since the opening of Kakarbhiita-Phulbari-Banglabandhatransil route on September 1.1997.

Nepal and Bangladesh both are the founders and active members of die | South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Both the countries have worked together very closely to realize the objectives of SAARC. During (he 11 SAARC Summit held in Kathmandu in January this year. Nepal and Bangladesh both had expressed firm commitment to alleviating poverty from the region. The two countries have also worked together in various international and regional fora for the cause of peace and development.

May 1 also take this opportunity to convey to the Government and the people of Bangladesh the heartiest and warmest greetings of His Majesty's Government and the people of Nepal. May (he special bonds of friendship (hat happily exist between Nepal and Bangladesh be further strengthened in theyears ahead.

ArunP.Dhital

Charge d'Affaires a.i.

Royal Nepalese Embassy. Dhaka