First Bangladeshi Prime Minister to Visit Vietnam Next Week

First Bangladeshi Prime Minister to Visit Vietnam Next Week 

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will pay a visit to Vietnam from May 17-19 at the invitation of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

This will be the first official trip to Vietnam by the leader of the Bangladeshi government since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1973.

During the tour, the guest is scheduled to hold talks with Khai and meet with Party Chief Nong Duc Manh and State President Tran Duc Luong.

She will be accompanied by 19 leaders from enterprises of banking, pharmaceuticals, garment and textiles, footwear, pottery and rice production. She is expected to attend Vietnam and Bangladesh business forums.

Economic relations between Vietnam and Bangladesh remain modest over the past time. Their trade turnover was only $18 million in 2003 and $14 million in 2002.

Vietnam exports garments and textile products, electronics, fruit and vegetables, pepper, rubber, handicraft and fine arts to Bangladesh while importing chemicals, materials for its garment and textile industry, pharmaceutical products, leather and steel.

VNA