Staff Correspondent

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen Sunday said Bangladesh and Nepal will graduate from LDC in 2026; so, both countries have enormous opportunities to work together for a smooth LDC graduation.

He said energy, tourism, education, migration, and connectivity between these countries have many untapped potentials for cooperation.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar, Momen emphasised exploring possibilities of a free trade agreement and increasing two-way trade for shared prosperity.

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the seminar "Celebrating 50 Years of Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship: Shared Vision of Peace, Progress and Prosperity" in the capital.

Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, director general of BIISS, delivered the welcome remarks.

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari, Swarnim Wagle, chair of the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) Kathmandu, and Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams, rector of the Foreign Service Academy, Bangladesh, made presentations.

Ghanshyam highlighted that Nepal and Bangladesh share a common commitment to global peace, have avenues for further expansion of trade and investment opportunities, the scope for exploring hydropower potential, and a great tourism potential.

The ambassador also emphasised sharing mutual experiences, lessons, and best practices for planning a better future.

Major General Pasha said the two countries have a vast scope for cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy cooperation, education, and tourism.

Bangladesh and Nepal have enormous scope to work and enhance cooperation under the sub-regional and regional platforms, he added.

The countries can also work to take the bilateral relationship forward and enhance collaboration in hydropower and infrastructure development, Pasha said.

Senior officials from different ministries, ambassadors, high commissioners, former diplomats, senior military officials, media personalities, researchers, business people, teachers, students from various universities, representatives from different think tanks, and international organisations joined the event.