Dhaka to open missions in 6 countries this year

Says foreign minister

11 July 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni speaks at a press conference at foreign ministry in the city yesterday. Photo: Focus Bangla

Bangladesh is contemplating open a number of several full-fledged missions or consulates in Latin America and Africa to expand economic and trade activities as well as providing services to Bangladeshis living in those parts of the world. Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni said this while she was briefing newsmen at the Foreign Office on the outcome of just concluded D-8 summit in Nigeria. She said Bangladesh embassy or consulates will be opened in Brazil, Nigeria, Sudan, Sierra Leon and Portugal during the current financial year. Presently, Bangladesh has 47 missions abroad, she said, adding that it is necessary to expand missions abroad considering the interest of Bangladesh citizens living there and enhancing economic cooperation. In reply to a question, she said decision has also been taken to reopen Bangladesh mission in Afghanistan. Dipu Moni said the D-8 leaders at the summit agreed to protect and promote the rights of migrants working in the member states and beyond. “We expressed concern about protection gaps in countries of origin, transit and destination and called for strengthening the existing global mechanism to effectively address this issue,” she said. The FM said ratification of the Agreement on Simplification of visa procedures for the businessmen of the D-8 member states would give impetus to increasing and diversifying intra D-8 trade, which is now very insignificant. She said two more agreements will be signed to expand trade among the D-8 countries. Besides, banking problems will be solved for increasing the intra D-8 trade. Asked about the viability of D-8 as an economic grouping because of geographical locations of the member states, she said the distance will not be a barrier to strengthen the economic ties. Asked whether it is apathy of some member states that sent ministers instead of the heads of the government or state, Dipu Moni said it was due to domestic compulsions of those leaders. When asked why there was no bilateral meeting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with other D-8 leaders on the sidelines of the summit, she said the D-8 leaders had close and extensive discussions on various issues at the summit meeting and for that there was no need for bilateral meetings. Dipu Moni noted that the previous government did not take interest in D-8 since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is one of the initiators of the grouping and the foreign policy during that time was guided by shabby mentality. About issues to be discussed during the PM's ensuing visit to Myanmar, she said demarcation of maritime boundary, repatriation of Rohingyas, border issues as well as Kunming initiative to construct highway between Bangladesh and Kunming through Myanmar will be discussed. “We hope we will receive positive response from them,” she said.