Philippines, Bangladesh forge pact for foreign policy consultations

The Philippines and Bangladesh have signed an agreement to establish a mechanism for a periodic review of bilateral relations, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque recently inked the memorandum of understanding on establishing the Foreign Policy Consultations mechanism between the two countries, and they also successfully held their first foreign policy consultation.

"At the inaugural meeting, both sides discussed developments in the bilateral relations of the two countries, and discussed initiatives in the areas of education, information and communications technology, fisheries, aquaculture and sports that may be pursued to further expand relations," the DFA said.

Both sides noted the potential to increase trade in goods and services between the two countries, it added.

Following the formation of the Philippines-Bangladesh Business Council on Jan. 21, both countries expressed hope to generate more activities fostering greater interaction between Filipino and Bangladeshi businessmen and to increase awareness of each country' s products. Endi