PM talks road transit, trade with Nepal

Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal sought cooperation of Bangladesh in maintaining peace and stability in the transitional times of his country and strengthening its democratic foundations.
Madhav Kumar expressed the wish during his talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the United Nations bilateral booth Thursday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
During the meeting, Madhav Kumar and Hasina discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral and regional development-trade, transit, tourism, peace efforts and the like.
Nepal has experienced protracted guerilla warfare until the centuries old monarchy was abolished last year and the Maoist rebels laid down arms.
In this context, the Nepalese prime minister mentioned the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord signed during the previous government of Bangladesh Awami League.
He said Sheikh Hasina's government can help Nepal "in a great way to maintain peace and stability" over there, because the last government under her leadership had been successful in restoring peace in the insurgency-ridden hilly areas of Bangladesh.
"Besides, Bangladesh can share its glorious experience on democracy with Nepal to help it in the process of strengthening its democratic foundations."
As various matters of bilateral trade and business, and regional development came up during the discussion, the Bangladesh PM underscored the need for transit facilities with Nepal "for expediting the long-cherished economic emancipation of the South Asian region."
She also told the Nepalese PM that her government would modernise Mongla seaport by which the neighbouring countries, including the landlocked Himalayan nation, Nepal, will be benefited.
The premier further emphasised making best use of water resources in the region for attaining the development targets.
The two leaders discussed high prospects for flourishing tourism industry in the two neighbouring countries.
In this regard, the PM reiterated her call for introducing package tourism between the two countries, as it will have significant impact on the two economies.
"Tourism packaged with the Himalayas and the Sundarbans, the beeches of Cox's Bazar would open up potential for earning in this sector," Hasina said.
The PM said Nepalese students can also take quality higher education in various universities of Bangladesh, particularly in medicine and engineering.
She mentioned that currently around 1,000 Nepalese students are studying in Bangladesh in various disciplines.
At another meeting in the day, the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh premier for her strong leadership in arranging funds for the LDCs, including the Maldives, for facing the challenges of the global climate change.
The president in this context mentioned the speech of Hasina at the last World Climate Conference-3 in Geneva.
Hasina "made the whole world conscious about the dire impacts of the global warming not only in Bangladesh but also in the Maldives and other victim countries," he said.
Nasheed further sought cooperation of Bangladesh government in opening a university in his island-country.
In reply, the PM assured the Maldives president of providing all necessary support for the spread of higher education in his country.
The president also said Bangladesh could help the Maldives in strengthening its democracy.
PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen after the meetings.
State Minister for Forest and Environment Hasan Mahmud, ambassador
M Ziauddin and Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes were present at the meetings.