"This is an important visit in the context of increasing bilateral trade and investment since Bangladesh and Vietnam enjoy excellent political relations and both the countries have potential sectors for cooperation," a foreign ministry official told the news agency yesterday.

He said a business delegation is likely to accompany the prime minister to explore areas of cooperation, including joint venture in prospective sectors of the two countries.

Prime Minister Khaleda makes the return visit to Vietnam following President Tran Duc Luong's tour of Dhaka on March 22-24 last year. During the visit, a number of agreements or MoUs on avoidance of double taxation, cooperation in agriculture and a cultural exchange programme for 2004-07 were signed.

Although the two-way trade accounts for a modest turnover of US$ 20 million, there is enough scope for enhancing the volume, he said, adding that Bangladesh's medicines and garment accessories have huge market in Vietnam. Vietnam is interested in tourism and construction sectors in Bangladesh.

Since the Southeast Asian country has expertise in automobiles, the private sectors of the two countries can examine the possibility of joint venture in manufacturing motorbikes and other light-engineering projects, he said.

On agriculture sector, the two countries have exchanged a 2-year draft agreement for cooperation in pisciculture, sericulture, irrigation and HYV seeds.

During PM's forthcoming tour, an agreement relating to economic cooperation is likely to be signed.

A high-powered business delegation from Bangladesh visited Vietnam last November generating interest among the private-sector entrepreneurs of the two countries.

Bangladesh and Vietnam have so far signed 13 agreements, MoUs and protocols to build strong partnerships in the fields of air services, trade, economy, science and technology, flood control and water-resource development.

Bangladesh initiated the "Look East" policy aiming to reinvigorate its ties with the countries of East and Southeast Asia, in which Vietnam occupies a prominent place, the official said.