Reduce jute import duty

DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the government of Iran to reduce duty on import of jute and jute products from Bangladesh.

She said, “Both the Muslim countries have a good bilateral relation and there is scope to expand the relation in the areas of trade and business.”

She came up with the remarks while holding a meeting with visiting Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran for Asia and Ocenia Seyed Abbas Aragchi.

Confirming the matter to banglanews PM`s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said, “The Prime Minister discussed about various matters of mutual interests and reiterated her government`s firm commitment against all sorts of terrorism and militancy.”

On the other hand, Seyed Abbas Aragchi praised the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to move forward Bangladesh.

Earlier in the day, Seyed Abbas Aragchi paid a courtesy visit to the Bangladeshi Prime minister at her office and handed over an invitation of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran invited Hasina to attend the 16th Summit of the heads of state and government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to be held in Tehran in the last week of August.

While receiving the invitation, the premier said, “Our government gives importance to NAM. My father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became associated with the movement immediate after the independence."

Among others, secretary for PMO Mollah Wahiduzzaman, Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary Sheikh M Wahid Uz Zaman were present during the meeting.

BDST: 1428 HRS, MAY 31, 2012
Edited by: Maria Salam, Asst Output Editor