Importing a class in app_code

I have a class in the app_code directory, the structure looks something like this
App_Code FolderA SqlDataProvider.vb DataProvider.vb FolderB SomeClass.vb GeneralFunctionsClass.vb I can access GeneralFunctionsClass.vb from any of my web controls code behind pages (ascx.vb) without any problems
But I want to import GeneralFunctionsClass.vb into Folder A -> SqlDataProvider.
When I do imposts GeneralFunctionsClass I get the following warning Namespace or type specified in the Imports 'GeneralFunctionsClass' doesn't contain any public member or cannot be found...
Weirdly I can import SomeClass.vb without any issues to Folder A -> SqlDataProvider.
the general functions class looks like this:

Imports Microsoft.VisualBasic Imports System.Net.Mail Namespace MyNamespace Public Class ...