Hanoi (VNA) - Bangladeshi PrimeMinister Sheikh Hasina has granted an interview to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)on Bangladesh-Vietnam relations and President Tran Dai Quang’s State visit toBangladesh from March 4-6.

The following is the full text of the interview.

Question: 45 years since the establishment ofdiplomatic relations between Vietnam and Bangladesh, the two countries’ tieshave strongly developed in various areas, may you share the biggestachievements that the two sides have made during this period? 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: The people ofBangladesh and Vietnam have similarity in their struggle for independence.Founding Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmanand Founder of modern Vietnam Ho Chi Minh - both had struggled for long andendured immense sufferings to free their people from subjugation. There are similarities in social andcultural traditions as well. Vietnam’s epic struggle for independence inspiredus in our war of independence in 1971.

During late 1960s, as a student leader, I myself led andparticipated protest rallies against the Vietnam War. The people of Bangladeshwere with the people of Vietnam in their struggle to free their country fromoccupation forces. 

Over the years there has been exchange of highlevel visits in government level and political level between the two countries.The Bangladeshi people are visiting Vietnam for touristic purpose. People-to-peoplecontact has thus increased. Bilateral cooperation in other sectors is alsoexpanding.

However, friendship between the people of twocountries and political understanding and goodwill generated between thegovernment and leadership of the two countries are the biggest achievements.

Question: Can you point out the advantages anddisadvantages of the two countries for further promoting cooperation? 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: Both Bangladeshand Vietnam are pursuing for rapid economic growth. Over the recent decadesboth countries achieved significant success. While we are competing in fewareas, we believe there are complimentary between our economies where we couldcooperate and further strengthen trade and investment relations. 

Scope of cooperation also exists in agriculture,pharmaceutical, small and medium manufacturing sectors. We need to identify thecomplementarities in these sectors, exchange knowledge and expertise and availopportunities in the global markets for the benefit of both the countries.

The idea is to complement each other and buildsynergies between the two countries. There can’t be any disadvantage when ifthe mutual cooperation is on win-win basis. 

Question: What do you think about the potentialities that twocountries can tap? Our economies have many similarities in nature. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: We are pursuing rapid economic development. Weneed to strengthen cooperation in garnering benefits from multilateral traderegimes promoting business and investment in both the countries. We can alsocooperate with each other in small-medium manufacturing sector and ICT. We mayalso share best practices in attaining the sustainable development goals(SDGs). 

Question: Can you point out how two countries can push the cooperation in thecoming time, especially to realise the target of 1 billion USD? 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: Both Bangladesh and Vietnam agreed to intensifytrade and investment promotion activities, strengthen cooperation among theprivate sectors of both countries and strive to achieve the target to increasebilateral trade volume to 1 billion USD. 

We are happy to see bilateral trade has reached around 900 million USD in 2017.Removing trade barriers, intensifying contact between business people and investorscan be useful for enhancing trade. Entrepreneurs and businessmen of bothcountries should explore opportunities in each other’s country. 

We are emphasising on connectivity and tourism to increase people-to-peoplecontact. These measures would help realising the target. 

Question: What do you think about the significance of the Vietnamese PresidentTran Dai Quang’s visit to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh? 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh maintains warm and friendly relationswith Vietnam. We established diplomatic relations immediately after ourindependence. Over the years, good understanding, cooperation and goodwilldeveloped between the two countries.

This year we are celebrating 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relation. Thecurrent visit of the President Tran Dai Quang also marks the occasion. Thisvisit is indicative of Vietnam’s interest to enhance friendship and cooperationwith Bangladesh.

Similarly, Bangladesh is very much eager to further deepen friendship andsectoral cooperation with our close regional neighbor Vietnam. During thevisit, a number of MoUs on bilateral cooperation will be concluded.

The visit will help bring the two countries further closer. President Tran DaiQuang’s visit will go a long way in taking our relations to a new height.-VNA