Bangladesh, Sri Lanka seek to expedite trade, investment negotiations

Dhaka: Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have agreed to expedite ongoing negotiations to boost bilateral trade and investment, as the two countries look to deepen economic cooperation under their respective new leadership.

The issue was discussed during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital on November 15.

During the meeting, Kobir stressed the need to explore all possible avenues of cooperation to serve the mutual interests of the two countries, particularly by advancing ongoing initiatives to promote trade and investment, according to a release from the ministry.

He said both countries, under their new leadership, were pursuing pragmatic and forward-looking approaches to national development, making stronger bilateral cooperation mutually beneficial.

The state minister also emphasized the implementation of decisions taken at the fourth Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Foreign Office Consultation held in Colombo in November 2025.

The next round of the consultation is scheduled to take place in Dhaka.

Both sides expressed optimism about further strengthening the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between the two countries.