Bangladesh and South Africa have agreed to sign several deals, including one for establishing direct air connectivity between Dhaka and Johannesburg, and another for promoting trade and commerce between the two countries.

Bangladesh handed over a list of 206 potential exportable Bangladeshi products for Duty Free/Quota Free access or access at lower rate to the South African market during the third round of bilateral consultations held at the foreign ministry in the capital yesterday.

Additional Foreign Secretary Mizanur Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation while his counterpart Dr A Sooklal, deputy director general of Asia and Middle East of Department of International Relation and Cooperation, led the South African delegation.

Appreciating Bangladeshi delegation's proposal, the South African side assured that they would consider opening a resident mission in Dhaka.

Both the sides agreed on early finalisation of some draft agreements for mutual interest like protocol for regular diplomatic consultations, agreement on avoidance of double taxation, and agreement on visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders. Issues like cooperation between police services and mutual legal assistances and extradition treaties and migration were also discussed.

Nomaindiya Mfeketo, deputy minister of the Department of International Relation and Cooperation of South Africa (DIRCO), paid a two-day visit to Bangladesh from Tuesday.