Kathmandu, 8 January: Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola left today for Dhaka on a four-day official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart Abus Samaz Azad.

Talking to journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Bastola said he would discuss several bilateral and regional issues during his meeting with Bangladeshi leaders and officials. “Bilateral trade, possibilities of holding the postponed SAARC Summit and other regional issues will be discussed during the visit,” he said.

However the main focus of his visit will be to strengthen infrastructure relating to trade and push

for the reinforcement of the 45 km Fulbari-Banglaband road inside Bangladesh to smooth transport of goods and improve facilities at Mangala port. Despite the opening of this route, one that could be used to boost bilateral trade and gain better access for Nepal’s overseas trade, the country has not benefited much because of poor infrastructure.

Land-locked Nepal is trying to develop an alternate, viable seaport in Bangladesh to overcome clogging at the Indian ports of Calcutta and Haldia and reduce handling costs.

Bastola will also discuss an American initiative to simultaneously exploit water potential in Nepal, gas in Bangladesh and petroleum in India with Bangladeshi leaders. He is also expected to prepare the groundwork for the visit of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to Bangladesh later this year, officials said.

Nepal and Bangladesh will discuss signing a transport accord to start direct bus service between the two countries through West Bengal state in India.

Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel will look after the portfolio of Foreign Minister during the absence of Foreign Minister Bastola, a notice of Principal Secretariat of His Majesty the King said.