He noted that the recent trip of the Foreign Adviser to Myanmar, which was a high-level visit after the present caretaker government assumed office, "reflects Bangladesh's friendship with the neighbour in the east".

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury visited Yangon in May, when he signed in an agreement on direct road link between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The CA made the remarks when the newly appointed Myanmar Ambassador Nyan Lynn made a courtesy call on him at his office.

Fakhruddin said Bangladesh and Myanmar enjoy cordial relations developed over the century on geographical proximity, historical and cultural tradition and people- to-people relations.

He conveyed thanks to the Prime Minister General Soe Win for expressing compassion and sympathy over the recent mudslide catastrophe in Chittagong and flashfloods.

The CA said his government is "eagerly waiting to welcome Vice-chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, Senior General Maung Aye to Bangladesh".

According to an official, General Maung Aye's visit will take place soon.

He observed that the signing of deal on direct road link between the two countries reflected "excellent bilateral and people-to-people relations and stressed the importance of linking China also.

"The relations would be further enhanced if China can be encompassed in the road network through Kunming (China)-Myanmar-Chittagong) through holding tripartite meeting for mutual benefit of people and the region," he said.

The ambassador said annual foreign consultation between the two governments will be held in Dhaka July 23-24 and Myanmarese Deputy Foreign Minister will come on July 22, according to Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim who was present at the meeting.

The envoy also apprised that Myanmar would very soon appoint honorary consul general in Chittagong for further consolidating the bilateral relations.

He mentioned that now bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar is worth 50 million US dollars and they are trying to enhance the volume to USD100 million.

During the meeting, the matter of leasing agricultural land in Myanmar to Bangladesh for farming by Bangladeshis came up.

It will be a win-win situation for both the countries. "You have land and we have farmers to cultivate diversified crops," the CA told the diplomat.

The Ambassador said Myanmar has hydropower potential and there can be cooperation in that field as well.

The CA said his government could look into it.