Dhaka keen to strengthen ties with D-8 states

PM tells Nigerian special envoy

28 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh looks forward to strengthen cooperation with D-8 countries in every possible areas, including industrial development. She made the remark when Ambassador MK Ibrahim, Special Envoy to Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan called on her at Gono Bhaban in the morning. The special envoy formally handed over the Nigerian president's letter of invitation to Hasina to attend the seventh D-8 Summit, said Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad. D-8 is set to hold its 7th Head of States Summit in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The summit is scheduled for July 4-8 with the theme “Enhancing investment cooperation among D-8 members.” The PM through the envoy thanked the Nigerian president for his invitation and wished success of the summit of the Developing-8, an organisation for economic cooperation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. She mentioned that signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement, Customs Agreement and D-8 visa agreement are major achievements that the D-8 has achieved in recent years. She also noted that cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, tourism and food security is also deepening among the D-8 member countries. Ibrahim lauded the leadership of Hasina in ensuring a safe and peaceful world by protecting the civilisation from natural calamities and ensuring universal food security. He said the government of Nigeria and its people strongly believe that Hasina through her wise and visionary leadership will be able to turn Bangladesh into a modern digital country by implementing its plans and projects. In reply, Hasina said her government will continue to work relentlessly in order to save the country's people as well as of the globe from the harmful impacts of the climate change. She said there exists potential for trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Nigeria, which needs to be fully exploited. Hasina underscored the need for collaboration in scientific, education, agriculture and energy sectors and cooperation in investment and information technology. On bilateral relation, she said Bangladesh attaches due importance to her relations with Nigeria. The PM and the Nigerian envoy hoped that the existing friendly bilateral relation between the two countries will be strengthened further in the future. Ambassador at-large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and Prime Minister's Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman were present.