KATHMANDU: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina underscored the need for transit facilities with Nepal “for expediting the long-cherished economic emancipation of the South Asian region”.

She held talks with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at the United Nations bilateral booth today on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session 2009. During the meeting, the two prime ministers discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral and regional development — trade, transit, tourism, peace efforts and the like.

She also told the Nepal that her government would modernise Mongla seaport by which the neighbouring countries, including the landlocked Himalayan nation will be benefited and the regional development will also be accelerated.

She further emphasised making best use of water resources in the region for attaining the development targets. The two leaders discussed high prospects for flourishing tourism industry in the two neighbouring countries. In this regard, the prime minister reiterated her call for introducing package tourism between the two countries, as it will have significant impact on the two economies.

“Tourism packaged with the Himalayas and the Sundarbans, the beeches of Cox’s Bazar would open up potential for earning in this sector,” Hasina said.

The prime minister said Nepali students can also take quality higher education at various universities in Bangladesh, particularly in medicine and engineering. She mentioned that currently around 1000 Nepali students are studying in Bangladesh in various disciplines. In his part, Nepal sought cooperation of Bangladesh in maintaining peace and stability in the transitional time of his country and strengthening its democratic foundations.

As various matters of bilateral trade and business, and regional development came up during the discussion, Hasina underscored the need for transit facilities with Nepal ‘for expediting the long-cherished economic emancipation of the South Asian region”.