Bangladesh's rice crop for the year to June rose to a little over 35 million tonnes from the previous year's 34.25 million, food officials said. But it had to import nearly 5.0 million tonnes of grain - mostly rice but also including wheat - to ensure stable supplies. Bangladesh imported 250,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand in 2011 under a similar agreement.
The two countries also signed memorandums to double trade flows by 2015. Bangladesh's exports to Thailand were worth $51.4 million and imports $879.5 million in 2011-2012. "The two neighbouring countries need to explore the potential to enhance investment and trade business," Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and industry, said.
"We have to make connectivity, especially sea linkage through Myanmar and this route will help boost our economies," he said, urging Thailand to grant duty-free access for Bangladeshi products to bridge the trade gap. The Thai Prime Minister's entourage for the trip comprises a 108-member delegation that includes Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.