Prime Minister Hun Sen left for Bangladesh yesterday for a three-day official visit, during which leaders from both countries are expected to sign a number of deals, according to Sry Thamarong, a cabinet minister who spoke at the airport.

The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Agriculture Minister Ouk Rabun, Culture Minister Phoeurng Sackona, Secretary-General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea and other members of the government.

“As we know, Bangladesh is a large country [in terms of] agricultural production and developed agriculture fields, and has strong technology skills. The country is small, similar to Cambodia, but the population of Bangladesh ranks number eight in the world,” Thamarong said.

The visit is supposed to include stops at sites pertaining to trade, as well as cultural ones, such as a museum and an ancient temple, he added.

Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party spokesman Yem Ponharith said Bangladesh is also a developing country, so encouraging agricultural cooperation between the countries was a good idea.

“The current government was formed by a single political party in the National Assembly, but on behalf of the Cambodian people, the CNRP supports foreign diplomatic ties in the interest of the nation,” he said.