Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Govt to expats: Don’t come during lockdown, except for emergencies
The government has decided to discourage expatriate Bangladeshis from returning home during lockdown, unless facing an emergency.
Bangladesh Missions abroad are being engaged to disseminate the message among expat communities in various countries.
To convey the message to expatriates, support from the social media platforms, Bangladesh Missions’ websites and community leaders will be taken.
However, the expatriates will be able to return to home from abroad in case there is any emergency need with a condition of mandatory 14-day institutional quarantine.
Also read: Biman to run special flights to 5 countries from Apr 17
Each of the returnees will have to show Covid-19 negative certificate which is a must and the Bangladesh Missions abroad will prepare the list of those who need to come to Bangladesh on an emergency need.
The Armed Forces Division will take adequate preparations for institutional quarantine facilities in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.
The decisions were taken at a virtual inter-ministerial meeting held on Thursday chaired by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
Health Minister, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and senior officials of the ministries concerned attended.
The government has decided to allow airlines including Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate special flights to five countries - Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore from April 17 in an effort to help stranded Bangladeshi expatriate workers can join their workplaces.
Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers
Among the expatriate Bangladeshi workers who want to go to these five countries having BMET clearance issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, they will be given priority in going abroad.
However, in the case of these countries, those who have a visit visa, but do not have BMET clearance, will not get priority in going abroad.
Bangladeshis who will go to the UAE for work with a visit visa can get a BMET clearance.
During the lockdown, those who wish to travel to countries other than the five mentioned countries in case of emergency will be able to travel on special flights as transit-passengers subject to clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Transport connectivity: Bimstec master plan ready for approval
The special session of Bimstec Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Wednesday endorsed the "BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity" for approval and adoption by the 17th Bimstec Ministerial Meeting and Fifth Bimstec Summit.
The Fifth Bimstec Summit is expected to be held in Sri Lanka's Colombo this year.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen virtually took part in the SOM held in Colombo.
He led a four-member Bangladesh delegation of Additional Foreign Secretary Md Shamsul Haque (Saarc and Bimstec) and other officers.
Also read: Bimstec SG lauds Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development
The foreign secretaries and senior officials of all the seven Bimstec member states joined the meeting, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Maldives sends message of sympathy over Rohingya camp fire
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has sent a message of sympathy to his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen, MP, following the devastating fire that blazed through the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar recently.
“I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news of the massive fire that swept through the Balukhali camp in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, causing loss of lives, destroying homes, and displacing thousands of refugees," he said on Wednesday.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The government and the people of the Maldives, joined him in conveying their profound sympathy and condolences to the government and the people of Bangladesh, and the Rohingyas directly impacted by this tragic incident, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
"I sincerely hope that the efforts of the response teams continue swiftly and successfully, and wish speedy recovery for those affected by this calamity," the message reads.
French senator lauds Bangladesh’s progress; recalls Bangabandhu
French Senator and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group for South East Asia Jacqueline Deromedi has lauded Bangladesh’s progress saying that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ‘today would be proud of the country he had built’.
Bangladesh awaits signing a series of deals with different countries: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said many agreements and MoUs will be signed with a number of countries during the visits of their heads of state and government, including that of India.
Bangladesh, Australia to focus more on trade, investment
Bangladesh and Australia want to expand bilateral relations with more trade, investment and cooperation in human resource development.
MoFA marks historic March 7, pays tribute to Bangabandhu
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday emphasised spreading the message of Bangabandhu's historic March 7 speech at home and abroad and encouraged youngsters to get inspired by it and play roles in building ‘Sonar Bangla’.
MoFA releases video marking Bangabandhu's historic March 7 Speech
Public Diplomacy wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday released a video on historic 7th March Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh indomitable: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday highlighted Bangladesh’s “indomitable” spirit with success stories in its journey towards higher development trajectory noting that the country becomes successful whatever it chases for the better.