Do not hide worries under smiles

By Tajul Islam, Gulshan-1, Dhaka
18 November 2005, 18:00 PM
Saarc countries are the homes of the world's maximum poor people. On the momentous occasion of their 13th summit the regional leaders raised many issues. The government of Bangladesh must be intrepid and diplomatically matured to bring-up the following topics, considered banes of our life. Can we turn the banes into blessings?

Firstly, the removal of the causes of the Trade Deficit due to the lack of openness and trust.

Secondly, to decide and determine an explicit goal, in order to establish a common vision to alleviate poverty.

Thirdly, developing tourism to motivate and facilitate people-to-people contacts. This is a high priority subject for the promotion of people-to-people communication in the region to strengthen reciprocal understanding, interaction and goodwill among the peoples of South Asia. To achieve this, and to commemorate the 20th year of SAARC, the year 2006 may be designated as "South Asia Tourism Year" and special events organised to celebrate it.

Fourthly, tariff and non-tariff hurdles to be removed to allow Bangladeshi companies' products to India, so that Bangladesh can export its goods to the northeast India.

Finally, adhering to the ASEAN countries, production target should be fixed, i.e. who will produce what.

The Prime Minister and her aides are fully aware of Bangladesh's needs and the people in Bangladesh implicitly appeal Do Not Hide Worries Under Diplomatic Smiles! We heartily wish the leaders unstinted success!