Dhaka to protect LDCs' interest in UNCTAD confce

Bangladesh would try hard to protect the interests of the 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the coming UNCTAD conference, reports UNB.

Commerce Minister Abdul Jalil renewed Dhaka's pledge talking to Thai ambassador Pithaya Pookaman when he called on the minister at his office in the city Thursday.

"Bangladesh has been playing a vital role for development of the LDCs at international forums, including WTO and UNCTAD," the minister told the envoy whose country is hosting the February 12-19 meet of the UN agency.

He said that Bangladesh and Thailand could work unitedly for the welfare of the peoples of the two countries.

Rating the trade relations between the two countries as excellent, the minister requested the envoy to increase Thai investment here to cash in on lucrative incentives.

Inviting the minister to join the Bangkok conference next month, the envoy said Thai investors had invested in various sectors of Bangladesh, including textile, hotel and agro-based industries.

"Many investors are still coming forward to take up investment projects," Pookaman said lauding the roles of Bangladesh in different international forums.

Commerce Secretary Golam Rahman was present during the meeting.