Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday called for the revival of the SAARC as a top platform for regional cooperation in South Asia.
The Chief Adviser made the call when he met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting at the UN headquarters in New York.
During the meeting, the two leaders underscored the need to revitalise the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus said reviving SAARC could be a good way to start it and sought Pakistan’s support.
Shehbaz Sharif promised his support for the initiative and suggested the countries move step by step in reviving the regional platform.
Sharif said Bangladesh and Pakistan should open a “new page” in their relations to enhance cooperation in various aspects.
“It’s very essential we revive our relations,” he said.
Sharif expressed Pakistan’s interest in investing Bangladesh’s textile and leather sectors.
Chief Adviser Professor Yunus proposed an exchange of youth programs between the two countries.
The two countries also discussed renewing foreign secretary-level talks and reactivating the joint commission between the two countries.
Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain was also present during the talks.
In a separate programme, Prof Yunus called for increasing trade and economic cooperation with Nepal.
The Chief Adviser made the call when he met Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, on the sideline of the UN General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Energy cooperation, trade and people to people interactions between the two South Asian nations featured prominently during the talks.
Professor Yunus stressed the need for increased energy trade between two nations, saying Nepal is endowed with a huge amount of renewable energy.
Bangladesh is expected to sign a 40 megawatt power purchase agreement with Nepal next month. Nepalese delegates at the meeting said the country would be able to export more electricity in a few years.
Energy, power and transport Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan and senior secretary and SDG Affairs Coordinator Lamiya Morshed we're also present during the meeting.
