Southeast Asian nation Laos is keen to import medicines from Bangladesh and both sides have agreed in principle to issue on arrival visas to the businessmen to boost the existing paltry trade between the two countries.

"We are very keen to import Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products because of quality and low price," First Vice Foreign Minister of Laos Phongsavath Boupha told a press briefing yesterday after he met Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Touhid Hossain at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka.

Boupha, who is leading the first high-level delegation from Laos after diplomatic relations were established in 1988, also said they are interested to increase bilateral trade with Bangladesh.

"Bilateral talks were held to introduce each other's markets and explore different sectors," he said adding the two sides would take initiatives to open up consulates in both the countries and also look to improve air links and possible road links through Myanmar.

Bangladesh foreign secretary said they have agreed in principle to give visas to the businesspeople of both the countries upon their arrival to improve interaction between them.

He said the current trade volume between the countries is quite insignificant. "Laos is a medium size market, which we can penetrate and make significant inroads," he added.

Touhid said Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products have already achieved a good reputation in Vietnam and steps have been taken to explore more Southeast Asian countries.

Boupha will meet leaders of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry today and is scheduled to call on foreign adviser tomorrow.

source: http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=8240