Bangladesh-Vietnam cooperation
On the occasion of the reopening of the Embassy of Vietnam in Dhaka, the
visiting Foreign Minister has highlighted the prospective areas of
cooperation with Bangladesh. Vietnam is unique in one way in the whole
world. It underwent a long and arduous war of independence and
thousands of patriotic people of the country laid down their lives and that for
ultimate resurgence of their economy. The agro-based economy of
Vietnam awaits its turn to be multi-sectoral and thus to enter into the world
market. The same is needed for broadening the base of the economy and
improving life and living of people.
Bangladesh, which earned its independence through the war of liberation,
also remains one of the least developed countries. It has to broaden the
base of the economy and use its natural and human resources by entering
into bilateral deals with neighbours and regional countries in the
Asia-Pacific zone. Vietnam is a relatively competitive partner with which
Bangladesh may go for trade deals as well as partnership in development.
With identical experiences, the people of Bangladesh and Vietnam may
understand the implications of cooperation and bilateral trade and
understanding including that for broadening the base of education,
healthcare and investment.
The identical experiences of the people of these two Asian countries which
remained in the facade of rice-growing farm sector with inadequate
infrastructural facilities may enable the policy makers therein to adopt
measure for improvement of economies. Bangladesh may also emulate
the practices with which Vietnam has since attained a double-digit rate of
its economy.
For all these, more exchange of data as well as visits by people of
appropriate quarters including trade delegations have to be arranged in
coming years. Products of these two countries may be sent to each other,
where necessary, by allowing tax-free movement of exportable items. Steps
may also be taken to encourage investments in different sectors and
sub-sectors of the economy.
It is worth noting that, despite all that are decided in the meetings of the
World Trade Organisation, the flow of exportable items of developing
countries into the developed countries remains limited. Some major
economic powers have adopted policies to keep their market open for
selected countries and, as such, marketing of items like finished garments
has become uncertain in years to come. That being so, countries like
Bangladesh and Vietnam have to cooperate with each other not only for
broadening the market share but also for diversifying their production. One
may insist on diversification of jute industry in these two Asian countries for
arrangenting export of environment friendly jute products and earn better
dividend from the renewable natural bounty.
The move of the Vietnamese government is all the more endorseable.
Necessary steps for exchange of information and also on prospects of
investment in the two friendly countries have to be taken with an eye on the
future and on the people at large.
The New Nation (.bd) - July 20, 2003.
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