Dhaka seeks Vietnam's help to be a member

Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday requested Vietnam to help Bangladesh get membership of the Ganges-Mekong Cooperation Initiative so, as a lower-riparian country, it can reap benefit out of the bloc.
The CA made the request when newly appointed Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van called on him at his office.
The head of the caretaker government said Bangladesh and Vietnam shared similar views on major issues in various regional and international forums and thanked Vietnam for its support to Bangladesh in becoming member of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).
He expressed gratitude for Vietnam's quick response to Dhaka's request for exporting rice to Bangladesh.
The CA hoped that the existing friendly relations and bilateral cooperation would be further increased during the tenure of the new ambassador.
The Vietnamese envoy expressed gratitude for Bangladesh's support to Vietnam for non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The joint commission meeting of the two countries for enhancing cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology and cultural affairs will be held early this year, it was informed in the meeting.
Appreciating rapid socioeconomic progress of Vietnam, the CA said, "Vietnam as a developing nation could be an example of development for other countries as there remains so much to share."
He said Bangladesh and Vietnam have commonality in history, and Bangladesh attached importance to its ties with Vietnam.
He congratulated Vietnam on its becoming member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The envoy conveyed best wishes of the prime minister of Vietnam to the chief adviser and his wife and invited them to visit the Southeast Asian country.
The CA also conveyed best wishes and invitation for Bangladesh visit to the Vietnamese prime minister through the envoy.
Secretary to CA's office Kazi M Aminul Islam and Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were also present.