President Abdul  Hamid on Friday urged officials at Bangladesh embassy in Thailand to put their highest efforts to further develop trade relations between Bangladesh and Thailand, including the extension of Bangladeshi products in the Thai market.

“The trade relation between Bangladesh and Thailand is increasing day by day. But the trade balance isn’t in favour of Bangladesh. For the reason, I urge all concerned, including the officials at Bangladesh embassy in Thailand, to put highest efforts to further develop trade relations between Bangladesh and Thailand,” he said, according to a message received here from Bangkok.

The President was speaking at a dinner hosted by ambassador of Bangladesh in Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem at the ballroom of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.

The President, on his way to Vietnam on a state visit at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang, made a stopover in Thailand,.

Pointing at the Bangladeshi expatriate staying in Thailand, Abdul Hamid said “I’m glad to know that the relations between Bangladesh embassy here and expatriate Bangladeshis are excellent. I urge the embassy officials to make the relations closer.”

He added, “I hope the Bangalees living in Thailand would work together for the interest of the country with a view to consolidating their position in Thailand as well as brightening the image of the country. We all know that the remittance sent by expatriate Bangladeshis is playing an important role in making the wheel of country’s economy active.”

Abdul Hamid went on saying, “You have to keep in mind that all expatriate Bangladeshis living in Thailand are goodwill ambassadors of the country though there is an ambassador in Thailand. For the reason, you’ll put efforts to brighten the image of the country through your work and behaviour apart from the efforts of the embassy in this regard.”

Earlier on Friday morning, President Abdul Hamid left Dhaka for Bangkok by a VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Robert Gibson, Chiefs of three services, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, IGP and high civil and military officials saw him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The President exchanged greetings with the passengers at the aircraft.

On his arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok at 3pm local time, the President was received by Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Sadia Muna Tasneem.

The President is expected to return home on August 13 evening.

UNB/RI