21 April 2015 - The Philippines and Bangladesh signed an agreement to establish a mechanism for a periodic review of bilateral relations, a move seen to bring cooperation and collaboration between the two countries on various areas to a higher level.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing Foreign Policy Consultations between the Philippines and Bangladesh on March 25. On the same day, delegations from the Philippines and Bangladesh successfully held the first Foreign Policy Consultations.

At the inaugural meeting, both sides discussed developments in the bilateral relations of the two countries, and discussed initiatives in the areas of education, information and communications technology, fisheries, aquaculture and sports that may be pursued to further expand relations.

Both sides noted the potential to increase trade in goods and services between the two countries. Following the formation of the Philippines-Bangladesh Business Council last January 21, both countries hope to generate more activities fostering greater interaction between Filipino and Bangladeshi businessmen and to increase awareness of each country’s products. These efforts are seen to lead to an increase in bilateral trade and investments.

The Philippine and Bangladesh delegations also discussed the exchanges between their members of Parliament, education and training exchanges between their Armed Forces and invitations extended to the officers to attend military and defense-related courses in their respective defense colleges.

Both delegations also explored how the recently concluded MOU on Sports Cooperation can be implemented.

DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Q. Del Rosario headed the Philippine delegation, while Foreign Secretary Haque headed the Bangladeshi delegation. The Philippine delegation included representatives from the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of National Defense, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. END