Kathmandu, Jan. 11 : Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola returned home today on completion of a four-day visit of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Talking to journalists on his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Foreign Minister Bastola said various matters of bilateral and mutual interest were discussed during official talks he held in Bangladesh and he was satisfied with the visit.

Talks were also held between the two countries on trade and economic cooperation, and international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern, he added.

Commercial and economic cooperation, enhancing the existing level of trade exchanges including diversification of exportable items of the two countries, investment, joint ventures, tariff concessions, cooperation between chambers and private sectors and improving the existing air links between the two countries were also discussed during the talks.

Bangladesh has agreed to permit Nepali private airlines to run their services to Bangladesh, he added.

Mr Bastola said high importance was accorded by Nepal in the talks to trade, transit and tourism.

According to a joint statement released after the visit, the two sides discussed matters relating to transit routes by rail as well as road and modalities for improving the present transit arrangements.

The Bangladesh side offered the Nepalese side increased facilities including special tariff for port handling, longer storage facilities, concessional warehousing and a larger number of railway wagons for lifting increased cargo at Mongla port for bilateral as well as transit trade, says the joint statement.

The official talks also covered issues relating to improved infrastructure including customs, immigration, banking and telecommunication links at Banglabandh to further facilitate trade and transit between the two countries.

During the talks, the two sides discussed ways and means of enhancing cooperation in the field of water resources including modalities for flood mitigation and harnessing of water resources of the region. The talks also dealt with the possibilities of increased cooperation in the field of agriculture through sharing of experience in this sector for mutual benefit.

It is also stated that the two sides reviewed cooperation in education and methods of improving the existing level of cooperation in this field. Also covered during the talks were matters relating to cultural cooperation and it was stressed that steps need to be taken to further intensify cultural exchanges between the two friendly countries.

The two sides reviewed the existing cooperation in the tourism sector and it was agreed that the existing potential for cooperation in this sector needs to further tapped for mutual benefit.

Matters relating to telecommunication links between the two countries came up for discussion and it was agreed that the existing links need to be increased both quantitatively and qualitatively for more efficient tele-links to enhance trade, economic and other inter-changes between the two countries.

According to the statement, the two Foreign Ministers decided to form a sub-committee consisting of senior officials of the two governments to look into the possibilities of expediting increased cooperation in matters relating to trade, transit and overall economic cooperation, and to recommend initiatives to be taken for enhancing cooperation in all these sectors.

During the official talks the two sides reviewed the current status of SAARC activities and agreed that steps need to be taken to fully reactivate the SAARC process for the overall socio-economic progress of the peoples of the South Asia region.

The two Foreign Ministers reiterated the commitment of their governments to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries in the spirit of trust, understanding and partnership for mutual benefit and future-oriented cooperation.

Foreign Minister Bastola also disclosed that a trade fair aimed at expanding trade between the two countries is to be organised in Bangladesh on Feb. 10, 2001 under the joint auspices of the Mechi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Panchgadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bangladesh.

Mr Bastola said that he held talks with Bangladeshi officers about the possibility of minimising visa fees for Nepali students, employees and tourists going to Bangladesh and that a positive response was received in this regard.

Stating that Bangladesh has agreed to give permission for running a broad gauge railway service from Mongla port of Bangladesh to Sirsiya of Birgunj via Rohanpur Sihabad, Mr Bastola said talks with India will be held to this end.

Foreign Minister Bastola had left for an official visit to Bangladesh on Jan. 8 at the invitation of Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad.