উপলব্দি প্রকাশ করি নির্ভয়ে

Introduction
Bangladesh maintains excellent bilateral relations with Vietnam based on long traditional and historical ties. An excellent bilateral relation that exists between Bangladesh and Vietnam is time-tested and rooted in the rich common heritage and cultural affinity. The ideal and principle of Vietnam and Bangladesh are similar as both the countries achieved their independence and sovereignty through bloody liberation war. We Bangladeshis always admire the Vietnamese people for their struggle and liberation.
Background
Soon after its independence in 1971, Bangladesh followed with keen interest and supported Vietnam's struggle. The Government of Bangladesh condemned the U.S.’s bombing in the North of Vietnam. There was a strong nation-wide movement of the Bangladeshi people in support of Vietnam's fight for liberation. Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia and the second in Asia to recognize and establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level with the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. On February 11, 1973, Vietnam and Bangladesh officially established diplomatic relations. In July 1982, Vietnam closed its Embassy in Dhaka. In November 1993, Bangladesh opened its Embassy in Hanoi. Vietnam re-opened its Embassy in Dhaka in January 2003. In recent years, there have been new and important political and economic progresses in the relations between Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Bilateral Relations
Both the economies of Bangladesh and Vietnam are based on agriculture. Vietnam and Bangladesh share long lasting diplomatic and economic relations. Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Bangladesh has widened rapidly with the import-export. Export and import between two countries has been accelerated in last 7 years. Bangladesh is a big market in South Asia with big population and consumption power. In spite of similarities in export items, there are still many areas that the industries of the two countries and complement each other, from production to consumption. Cloth, electric cables, urea, footwear and garment accessories and tobacco are Vietnam’s export staples while its main imports are pharmaceuticals, cloth, machinery and equipment, electronic spare parts. Bangladesh's exports to the country include pharmaceutical products, textile, garment and footwear accessories, chemicals and cotton etc. While, Vietnam's exports to Bangladesh include clinker, rice, fiber, fabric, electric cables and wires, iron and steel products, steel billet, cell phone, chemical products, machinery and equipment etc. Ratification of bilateral investment development and protection agreement, withdrawal of dual taxation, and infrastructure development are required to increase Bangladesh-Vietnam investment. A significant number of agreements/MOUs between the two countries have also been concluded. Vietnam and Bangladesh signed so many Agreements, MOUs and Protocols.

Reinforcements
The exchange of visits of State leaders and ministry officials has set the foundation for new development in bilateral relations including trade relations with new progress. Bangladesh has officially recognized the market economy status of Vietnam, which is very important to promote the potentiality of trade and ties between the two nations.
The two countries are preparing program for all-round cooperation, first of all, accelerating economic, trade and investment cooperation. The two countries have also agreed to consider preferential treatment for imported commodities, especially taxation and direct payment. The two sides will increase exchange of pharmaceuticals, garment, footwear, cement, machines and equipment. We’ve found directions for improvement of relations and cooperation between the two countries in politics, diplomacy, security, economy, trade, investment, agriculture, information and communication, cultural and tourism, and few other areas. The two countries confirmed reciprocal support between Vietnam’s candidature for the United Nations Human Rights Council (2014-2016) and Bangladesh’s candidature for the United Nations Human Rights Council (2015-2017). Dhaka expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s support to Bangladesh’s membership in the Asia-Europe Meeting.
Prospect
Bangladesh has a strategic location with ASEAN, a big market of 150 million people, liberal investment policy and is promoting economic relations with East Asian countries. Vietnamese businesses can find opportunities in such areas as footwear, garment, agricultural produce, pulp, and ceramics.
Bangladesh encourages foreign investments with cheapest labor in the region and low land rental. Vietnamese textile and garment businesses should promote investments in Bangladesh and export products to third countries, EU for example. Vietnam businesses can also invest in agricultural mechanics, industrialization of agriculture. Chambers of Commerce of the two countries has established joint business council to promote the exchange of information.
Bangladesh and Vietnam can work together for increasing food production and food processing, thus ensuring food security for both the nations and even supply food and food products to others in the world.
There is an opportunity of joint investment in different sectors, like - agro-based product processing, pharmaceuticals and ship-building etc. It will be profitable for both of the countries.
Agriculture plays a vital role in Bangladesh's economy. About 60 per cent of the populations are directly or indirectly involved in it. Even in our export basket, its contribution is very significant. So agriculture is important as it is in Vietnam. Official and private teams are regularly visiting from Bangladesh to share Vietnamese experiences. As an agricultural country, climate change has adversely affected our economy, as mighty nature does in Vietnam. As climate change seriously affects both our agriculture and fisheries sectors the two countries should co-operate and exchange experiences.
Bangladesh has more than two million workers abroad. Bangladesh Can share with Vietnam the experience in training workers for labor export since Vietnam also has an abundant number of human resources. Bangladesh and Viet Nam may create more favorable environment for the development of long-term co-operation in the field of culture through the cultural exchange programs in accordance with the Cultural Agreement signed between the two countries.
Concluding Words
The two countries underscored the need for continuing work together on institutionalization of a global compact to deal with climate change in the four recognized tracks of action - adaptation, mitigation, financing and technology transfer. 40 years is an enough interval in terms of testing friendship. So it’s the time to move together.

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