The fourth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Thailand were held today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. The Bangladeshi delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, while the Thai delegation was headed by Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Eksiri Pintaruchi. The talks reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade and investment, connectivity, workers’ migration, energy, agriculture, cultural exchanges, education and training, defence and climate change. Bangladesh, expressing satisfaction with the ongoing trade and investment partnership, put forward two specific proposals to narrow the trade gap: greater imports of Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals, jute and jute products, and a reduction of duties on Bangladeshi goods to improve their competitiveness in the Thai market.
The Thai delegation said it was ready to consider the proposals put forward and to further expand bilateral trade and investment, and it asked that discussions on a bilateral free‑trade agreement begin as soon as possible. Both parties also welcomed the launch of the first direct shipping service between Chattogram and Ranong ports, scheduled for September 2026, which is expected to cut transit time from roughly 15 days to about four days, lower logistics costs and stimulate trade between the two nations.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, requested Thai technical cooperation and investment to enhance processing of Bangladeshi fruits and vegetables and to obtain technology transfer for the global halal food market. Under the Thailand‑Bangladesh Cooperation Agreement (TICA) programme, Bangladesh also sought training for its professionals in hospitality, nursing, germplasm, food‑processing and related sectors.
Thailand also stressed sharing its experience of the “One Village One Product” programme. The two sides agreed to consider the various MoUs under discussion, including those on rice imports and workers’ migration, and both expressed satisfaction with the ongoing energy cooperation. Citing Bangladesh’s national objective of generating at least 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, Bangladesh sought Thailand’s technical expertise and experience in converting agricultural residues and agro‑industrial waste into electricity.
Looking ahead to the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Thailand next year, the parties stressed the importance of exchanges at the political level and hoped that visits by the heads of government could mark the anniversary. They also agreed to undertake joint initiatives to promote cultural and sport exchanges.
Bangladesh pledged to share its cricket expertise and related training programmes, while Thailand offered to provide training in Taekwondo as part of the bilateral cooperation agenda.
The Bangladeshi delegation also thanked Thailand for its ongoing backing of Bangladesh’s bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and for supporting its accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In addition, the delegation appealed to Thailand for assistance in addressing the repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Rakhine State in Myanmar.
Both sides recognised the rising threat of cross‑border crimes, including human trafficking, arms trafficking, online scamming and narcotics trade. In that context, they agreed to cooperate and to consider establishing a joint committee under their respective Ministries of Home Affairs. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of their commitment to deepen relations through enhanced bilateral, regional and international cooperation.
Why it matters
The consultations advance bilateral economic, trade, and regional cooperation between Bangladesh and Thailand ahead of their upcoming 55th diplomatic anniversary.