Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit Thailand next Wednesday for a five-day trip, marking the first bilateral visit by a Bangladeshi Prime Minister to Thailand since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Thailand officially recognised Bangladesh as an independent state in October 1972.
According to several senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs speaking to the media, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will engage in a summit meeting with Thai Prime Minister Shretha Thavisin at the Government House in Bangkok on April 26.
During this summit, the two countries are expected to sign five agreements and memorandums of understanding covering various issues, including energy cooperation, tourism sector collaboration, customs cooperation, a visa exemption agreement for government passport holders, and a memorandum of understanding on free trade.
Alongside bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of Thailand, she will also participate in the session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNSCAP).
A joint statement issued by the foreign ministries of both countries last week highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Thailand, emphasising the opening of a 'new window of cooperation' between the two friendly nations.
During her visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will have an audience with King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida at the Royal Palace of Thailand.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Bangkok comes at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Shretha Thavisin. Ahead of the bilateral meetings, she will attend the 80th session of UNCUP, addressing the UNSC session on April 25.
Additionally, UN Under-Secretary and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alishabana will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 25.
Accompanying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her visit to Thailand are Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed, and State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam.
