Economic diplomacy top priority: PM

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Bangla Tribune Desk
Published : 10:19, Jul 21, 2019 | Updated : 16:15, Jul 21, 2019

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina addresses as the chief guest at the Envoys` Conference in London on Saturday (Jul 20, 2019). Photo: Focus BanglaPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the Bangladesh envoys in European countries to pursue economic diplomacy alongside the political one as she joined the first-ever Bangladeshi envoy's conference in London.

“We need to focus more on economic issues besides political diplomacy so the ongoing development in Bangladesh to continues,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted her as saying while briefing reporters after the conference.

She simultaneously asked them to put in their efforts to attract more investment in the country, boost trade and commercial relations and enhance Bangladesh’s image further in Europe.

The premier said at the same time the envoys would have to provide better and faster services to expatriate Bangladeshis living in different countries.

A total of 15 Bangladesh ambassadors, high commissioners and permanent representatives posted in different countries of Europe attended the conference titled “Envoys (in Europe) Conference” at a London hotel on Saturday (Jul 20).

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also spoke on the occasion while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Premier’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque were present.

The press secretary told BSS, the prime minister held discussions with the Bangladeshi envoys on various other issues including the Rohingya crisis and migration to Europe and gave them necessary directives during the conference.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary celebrations and the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence were also discussed as well in the conference.

Sheikh Hasina told the envoys that the world was changing fast which required them to take effective and time-befitting action plans for establishing deeper and broader relations with the foreign countries.

“To this effect, we need to explore opportunities for boosting investment, trade and skilled manpower export in countries particularly in the European states,” she said.

The envoys who attended the conference were Abu Zafar (Austria), Mohammed Shahdat Hossain (Belgium), Muhammad Abdul Muhith (Denmark), Kazi Imtiaz Hossain (France), Imtiaz Ahmed (Germany), Jashim Uddin (Greece), Abdus Sobhan Sikder (Italy), Sheikh Mohammed Belal ( Netherlands), Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman (Poland), Ruhul Alam Siddique (Portugal), Dr. S.M. Saiful Hoque (Russia), Hassan Mahmood Khandker (Spain), Nazmul Islam (Sweden), Shameem Ahsan (Switzerland) and Saida Muna Tasneem (United Kingdom).

At the conference, each of the envoys made a separate presentation on the activities, challenges and future plan of actions for their respective country of assignment.

/srj/
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