Bangladesh PM starts state visit

JAKARTA (JP): Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived here yesterday for a four-day state visit to speed up the slow economic cooperation between the two countries.

President Soeharto greeted Hasina in a state reception at Merdeka Palace. They held a brief discussion when she paid a courtesy call on him soon after her arrival yesterday.

"The two leaders will use this opportunity to exchange information on their respective domestic development," said Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono after accompanying Soeharto in the meeting.

The President emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation at a banquet he hosted in honor of Hasina and her entourage at the State Palace last night.

"We have similarities, where the majority of our people are Moslems, and our nations are working to improve our welfare," Soeharto said in his address.

The prime minister's entourage includes State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury and the chairman of the Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yousuf Abdullah Harun.

This morning the two leaders will hold bilateral talks. After the talks Alatas and Chowdhury will sign an Air Service Agreement.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Indonesia's exports to Bangladesh reached US$117 million in 1996, mostly in plastic and rubber products, food, paper, earthenware and textiles. Indonesia's imports were less than $10 million, mostly in jute and leather.

During the talks the two leaders are also expected to discuss regional and international issues, and touch on the second summit of eight developing countries (D-8) to be hosted by Dhaka next year. The first summit was held in Istanbul in June this year.

The D-8 group comprises predominantly Moslem countries including Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt and Nigeria.

Hasina will visit state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN in Bandung on Saturday before leaving for Bali, where she will spend two nights. (prb)