foreign-affairs
FIPA to help bolster confidence of Canadian investors to invest more in Bangladesh: Envoy
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Dr Khalilur Rahman has said Bangladesh’s recent proposal to start the technical negotiation of a Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) would bolster the confidence of Canadian investors to invest more in Bangladesh.
He welcomed the upcoming trade and investment mission led by Canada’s Indo-Pacific Trade Representative to Dhaka.
While speaking at a reception, Khalilur Rahman expressed satisfaction at the achievements in connection with strengthening of Bangladesh-Canada relations through various diplomatic initiatives during his tenure.
He maintained that the commencement of direct Bangladesh Biman flights between Dhaka and Toronto have bolstered trade and mobility.
The envoy also mentioned ongoing discussions to further strengthen and expand commercial ties between the two countries.
The High Commissioner expressed hope that Canada would resolve the sole irritant in otherwise excellent bilateral relations by deporting killer Nur Chowdhury, convicted assassin of Bangladesh’s Founding Father, through mutual understanding and agreement as soon as possible, according to a message received here from Bangladesh Mission on Saturday.
Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa, Canada hosted the reception at the Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown on April 18 to celebrate the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh 2024.
Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, attended as the chief guest on behalf of the government of Canada.
The event welcomed around 200 guests, including Senators, Members of Parliament, and Heads of diplomatic missions in Ottawa and community members.
All the officers and officials along with their spouses also attended the event. The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems of Canada and Bangladesh.
Khalilur Rahman honored the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and highlighted Bangabandhu’s vision for an independent, democratic and secular Bangladesh.
He also paid tribute to the three million martyrs and the two hundred thousand brave women who were violated during the 1971 war of liberation.
The High Commissioner highlighted the strong and growing partnership between Bangladesh and Canada, which spans trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
He extolled the contribution of over 100,000 Canadians of Bangladeshi origin to the social, cultural, and economic fabrics of both countries.
He also highlighted the socio-economic strides Bangladesh has made, especially in the last 15 years, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Robert Oliphant emphasized the significance of the bilateral relationship between Canada and Bangladesh, noting its roots in Canada's support during Bangladesh's war of liberation and its subsequent recognition of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation.
He praised Bangladesh's upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026 and commended the ongoing advancements in various socio-economic indicators under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He also said that many of Bangladesh’s development activities serve as the model for other countries for poverty alleviation and human development.
He expressed gratitude towards Bangladesh for sheltering 1.3 million Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN).
Robert Oliphant affirmed Canada's commitment to work with Bangladesh, including in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to pave the pathway towards safe and sustainable repatriation of these persecuted people to their homeland in Myanmar.
The Parliamentary Secretary also acknowledged the contribution of Bangladeshi-Canadians to the economic and social milieu of Canada.
Robert Oliphant thanked His Excellency the High Commissioner for his works and contributions during his tenure to strengthen and expand Bangladesh-Canada ties.
Among others, Members of the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group (CBPFG), including its chairs, spoke at the event.
They commended the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hoped to work together to further strengthen and expand Bangladesh-Canada bilateral relations.
They also thanked the High Commissioner for facilitating the group during his tenure.
The chief guest and the High Commissioner, along with Senators and Members of Parliament, raised a toast to celebrate the reception.
The Independence and National Day Reception 2024 was hosted on 18 April 2024, instead of 26 March 2024, due to the holy month of Ramadan.
Dhaka ready to welcome Qatar’s Emir; 2 countries eye broader cooperation
Bangladesh has taken all necessary preparations to welcome Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who will arrive on Monday on a two-day state visit which might see the signing of nearly a dozen of cooperation documents to strengthen ties in multiple areas including trade and investment, officials said.
The government, in a gazette notification, has already declared the emir as a very important person during his two-day visit to Bangladesh.
Some of the Dhaka streets are seen decorated with the photos of Qatar emir, along with Bangladesh president and the prime minister ahead of the visit.
Such a high-level visit, which will last 24 hours, is taking place from friendly country Qatar nearly after 19 years.
The then Emir of Qatar Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani visited Bangladesh in April, 2005.
Foreign Ministry officials said the agreements and MoUs are likely to be signed on enhancing trade and investment, prisoners exchange, avoidance of double taxation, manpower export, cooperation in the field of religion and higher education.
However, the exact number of documents which will be signed between two countries could not be known.
"The visit will play a significant role in further strengthening the brotherly relations between the two countries," a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
Apart from areas of cooperation on bilateral front, global issues including Palestine-Israel will also be discussed where Bangladesh will highlight its position, he said.
During his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye last month, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud emphasised the urgent need for a collective effort to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza, holding Israel accountable for committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
"Bangladesh is in favour of peace, not for war," he said.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin will receive the emir amid gun salute and a wider ceremony at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The emir is scheduled to arrive on Monday afternoon by a special flight, an official told UNB.
On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive the Qatar emir at her office.
They will have tête-à-tête (one-to-one) meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office which will be followed by bilateral meeting.
The two leaders will witness signing ceremony of cooperation documents and join joint press meet.
After signing visitors' book there, the emir will head for Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon where the president will receive him.
President Shahabuddin will host official lunch in honour of the Emir of Qatar at Darbar Hall, Bangabhaban.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud will also have a courtesy meeting with the emir.
A road and a park of the capital will be named after the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The emir will inaugurate the park in Kalshi area of Mirpur under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and a road running from Mirpur ECB Chattar to Kalshi Flyover at 3pm.
The emir will have a private meeting with selected business community members at his place of residence.
He is scheduled to depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a special flight at 6pm Tuesday.
The foreign minister will see him off at the airport.
Bangladesh and Qatar want to expand the existing ties with broader cooperation in the areas of manpower, energy, trade and investment following the planned visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Bangladesh.
In March last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha.
She sought increased energy, particularly LNG, from Qatar to meet the energy demands.
The State of Qatar recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign State on March 4, 1974 following the 2nd OIC Summit held in February 1974.
Qatar assures support for Bangladesh's media sector development too.
Bangladesh opened its diplomatic mission in Doha on June 25, 1975. The State of Qatar reciprocated by opening its diplomatic mission in Dhaka in 1982.
Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Qatar are based on mutual respect, shared values, common religious ground, shared culture, and tradition.
People-to-people contacts bolstered by more than four hundred thousand Bangladeshi workers who are highly appreciated as disciplined and hardworking is one of the dominant features of bilateral relations, according to the MoFA.
Bangladesh and Qatar consider each other as brotherly countries and important development partners in materialising Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and Qatar’s vision 2030.
G7 calls for starting process of Rohingya repatriation
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have stressed the need to create conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of all Rohingya refugees and displaced persons and justice and accountability for atrocities committed against Rohingya and other ethnic communities.
They, in a joint statement, also reiterated their call on all States to prevent or to cease the flow of arms and other dual-use materiel, including jet fuel, into Myanmar.
They urged the Myanmar military to immediately cease any violence, release all prisoners arbitrarily detained – starting from the democratically elected leaders- and establish an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, in view of restoring the path towards a meaningful and durable democratic process.
"We also reiterate our call on the Myanmar military to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, to desist from any form of forced labour and to allow prompt, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all displaced persons and people in need," said the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union in their statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday.
They will continue to support ASEAN’s efforts to promote a credible and inclusive process to achieve the swift implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
"We highlight the importance of a comprehensive implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2669 (2022) and support the UN’s further engagement in the crisis, including through the leadership of the newly appointed UN Special Envoy on Myanmar and through the designation of a Resident Coordinator in country," said the G7 countries, noting that accountability for serious crimes committed in Myanmar remains essential.
The G7 countries reiterated their strong condemnation of the military coup in Myanmar and reaffirm our support and solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their quest for peace, freedom, and democracy.
The continuing attacks by the military destroying civilian infrastructure (including homes, schools, places of worship and hospitals), the repeated and serious violations of human rights and the alarming humanitarian situation – which particularly affect those in most vulnerable situations, including children, women and members of minority religious and ethnic groups – are unacceptable.
"We also condemn the recent implementation of the 2010 conscription law by the military regime," they said.
The forced recruitment of young people can only lead to further violence and trigger a massive exodus to neighboring countries, according to the joint statement.
G7 countries for promoting Free, Open Indo-Pacific, managing engagement in Asia
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have reaffirmed individual initiatives of the G7 members and welcomed those of their partners, such as ASEAN, IORA, Australia, Republic of Korea, India and other South Asian as well as Pacific Island countries, to enhance their engagement in the region.
"We underscore our commitment to further strengthening our coordination among the G7. In this context, we reaffirm the importance of working together with all regional partners," said the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union in a joint statement issued on Friday.
They reaffirmed their thorough support to ASEAN centrality and unity, as well as to initiatives aimed at fostering regional cooperation in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
They underscored their commitment to further strengthen our partnership with the Pacific Island countries, by supporting their needs and efforts in the implementation of the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
"We look forward to the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States under the theme “Charting the course towards resilient prosperity” (St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda 27th-30th May 2024)," they said.
"We will broaden our support to civil society, private sector, and academia’s plans for the promotion of a free and open Indo-Pacific," they added.
The Indo-Pacific region is a key engine for global growth, with more than half of the world’s population.
"We reiterate commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law, which is inclusive, prosperous, secure, grounded on respect for international law, notably the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, peaceful resolution of disputes, fundamental freedoms, and human rights," they said.
They underscored that peace and stability of the region also contributes to prosperity and development of the entire international community.
Developments in that region can directly affect Euro-Atlantic security, according to the statement received from the US Department of State.
As the international community faces multiple crises we, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, renewed their commitment to upholding the rule of law, humanitarian principles and international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and to protecting human rights and dignity for all individuals.
They reiterated the need to take collective action to preserve peace and stability and to address global challenges such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, global health, education, gender inequality, poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition, violent extremism and terrorism, information integrity and a digital transition that respects, protects, and promotes human rights and fundamental freedoms.
They also affirmed their commitment to free societies and democratic principles, where all persons can freely exercise their rights and freedoms. "Human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated."
Dhaka urges Thimphu to rekindle BBIN MVA framework to promote prosperity
Bangladesh has urged Bhutan to take necessary measures to rejoin the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) framework to promote regional prosperity through people to people contact.
At the third Foreign Office Consultations held between the two countries on Friday, Bangladesh also raised the issue of Sustainable Development Fees (SDF) for tourists and requested the Bhutanese government to reduce the current SDF for the Bangladeshi tourists.
The Bhutanese side assured their counterparts of positive consideration, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
Saima Wazed, Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck launch Bhutanese version of Bangabandhu’s ‘Unfinished Memoirs’
The two sides agreed to work together to enhance tourism and foster people to people contact.
The third Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Bhutan was held in Thimphu.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masud Bin Momen, while the Bhutan delegation was led by Pema Choden, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan.
During the Foreign Office Consultations, the whole gamut of bilateral relations was discussed.
Both the Foreign Secretaries expressed satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relations that exist between Bangladesh and Bhutan.
BGB gives state guard of honour and farewell reception to Bhutan’s King in Kurigram
They discussed all the major issues of mutual interests and agreed to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors, especially trade and commerce, health, investment, connectivity, power and energy, tourism, culture and education among others.
Both the Foreign Secretaries also discussed the means and ways of faster implementations of the decisions taken and MoUs signed during the recent visit of His Majesty the King of Bhutan to Bangladesh.
On her part, Pema Choden stressed on the exploration of the untapped potential in economic, cultural and educational areas and proposed to establish meaningful collaborative relationship.
She mentioned that Bhutan would like to pursue more trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh. She also stressed on mutual efforts to conclude the pending Agreements/MoUs. Bhutanese Foreign Secretary emphasized on the exchange of government and private level visits between the two countries.
Both the Foreign Secretaries discussed regional issues of mutual interest and hoped that both countries would continue to work to reinvigorate the SAARC and BIMSTEC processes.
Bhutanese king visits Special Economic Zone in Kurigram
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also called on Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Royal Government of Bhutan at the latter’s office.
During the meeting, they discussed the issues of mutual interests including trade and investment, special economic zone in Kurigram, power sector cooperation, cooperation in health and education, regional cooperation etc.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also attended the National Day reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Bhutan as the special guest.
He also inspected the progress of the ongoing construction work of the Chancery and Residence Construction project of Bangladesh Embassy in Thimphu.
Bangladeshi workers must be protected from criminalisation in Malaysia: UN experts
UN experts on Friday expressed dismay about the situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia, who had travelled there in the hope of employment after engaging in the official labour migration process.
“The situation of Bangladeshi migrants who have lived in Malaysia for several months or longer is unsustainable and undignified,” the experts said in a statement issued from Geneva.
The experts are Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences; Siobhán Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Gehad Madi, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants and Robert McCorquodale (Chair-Rapporteur), Fernanda Hopenhaym (Vice-Chair), Pichamon Yeophantong, Damilola Olawuyi, Elzbieta Karska, Working Group on business and human rights.
“Malaysia needs to take urgent measures to address the dire humanitarian situation of migrants and protect them from exploitation, criminalisation and other human rights abuses," said the UN experts.
They noted that many migrants find on arrival in Malaysia that they do not have employment as promised and are often forced into overstaying their visas.
Consequently, these migrants risk arrest, detention, ill-treatment and deportation, the experts said.
They expressed concern that large sums of money were being generated through the fraudulent recruitment of migrant workers by criminal networks operating between Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Migrants were being deceived, recruited by companies that are frequently fake, and obliged to pay exorbitant recruitment fees which pushes them into debt bondage, the experts said.
“We received reports that certain high-level officials in both Governments are involved in this business or condoning it. This is unacceptable and needs to end,” the experts said.
“Perpetrators of these exploitative recruitments must be held accountable,” they said, adding that so far action taken against these private businesses and fraudulent recruitment companies have been wholly insufficient, both in Bangladesh and Malaysia.
“Meanwhile, vulnerable migrants have been criminalised and some have faced severe reprisals for reporting the exploitation suffered,” they said.
They urged Malaysia and Bangladesh to investigate and address the situation.
'Malaysia must govern labour migration more effectively by adopting adequate safeguards,” the experts said, urging the country to fulfil its obligations under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to protect migrant workers against human rights abuses by businesses operating in Malaysia and ensure that these businesses respect human rights.
Malaysia must also step up efforts to identify, protect and assist victims of exploitation, enforce existing legal protections against trafficking in persons and uphold the country’s international human rights obligations, they said.
The experts have previously engaged with the Governments of Malaysia and Bangladesh on these issues.
PM Hasina building future Bangladesh: Finance Minister
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has started work on building future Bangladesh to fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the finance minister has said.
Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali made the comments while exchanging views with the officials and employees of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Thursday.
The finance minister is now in Washington to lead a Bangladesh delegation to the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran also spoke on the occasion, according to a message received here.
The finance minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly to establish a developed and prosperous Bangladesh and the country is marching forward under her dynamic leadership.
Mahmood Ali said that the prime minister has taken the responsibility of completing the unfinished work of Bangabandhu and she is taking the nation to its desired goal.
But, he said, the anti-liberation forces, who still exist in the country, are carrying out destructive acts to hinder ongoing development.
Mahmood Ali, the first Pakistani diplomat in the USA to defect for Bangladesh during the Liberation War, reminisced his diplomatic life in New York in 1971.
Earlier, the finance minister placed a floral wreath at the bust of the father of the nation at the Bangabandhu Corner of the embassy.
India's FS Vinay Kwatra's visit "postponed"
The planned official visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra to Bangladesh has been postponed, says a diplomatic source on Thursday.
The visit, which will take place in a mutually convenient new date, is part of high-level exchanges between Bangladesh and India and to review progress in two countries' bilateral cooperation agenda, said the source.
The guests who were invited to attend the dinner with the Indian FS on April 20 also received a message on Thursday that says the visit "has been postponed."
Though there was no official announcement from Dhaka and New Delhi regarding the visit, he was supposed to be in Dhaka on a brief visit on Saturday.
Apart from his meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen, the Indian foreign secretary was due to meet Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India is planned early July after the conclusion of the neighbouring country’s national election, which is the world's largest democratic exercise, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the vote count set for June 4.
Pre-election surveys suggest a strong showing for the coalition led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is widely anticipated to secure re-election.
"Prime Minister's (Sheikh Hasina) India visit will definitely take place. However, it will take place after the election in India," FM Hasan said recently.
He said it is not yet discussed at the official level when the visit will exactly take place.
In January, Modi extended warm congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory, expressing hopes for the continued strengthening of the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh.
The last bilateral engagement between the two prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023, where Bangladesh was the guest country.
PM Modi is expected to extend invitations to South Asian and BIMSTEC country leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in New Delhi on 24 November 2023.
FOC is an institutional dialogue mechanism between the two foreign secretaries to review the entire gamut of bilateral relationship.
Both sides in bilateral forums usually discuss comprehensively a wide range of issues covering border and security, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, people to people ties and development cooperation in Bangladesh.
The government of India in March extended Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra's tenure by six months.
Kwatra assumed charge as India’s foreign secretary on 1 May, 2022 and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1988.
Launching of CVC in Dhaka will significantly enhance efficiency of visa issuance: Ambassador Yao Wen
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday said the launching of the Chinese Visa Center (CVC) in Dhaka is another new measure by the Embassy in the short term to facilitate Bangladeshi citizens' travel to China.
Inaugurating the Chinese Visa Center (CVC) in Dhaka officially, Ambassador Yao said in recent years, the strategic cooperation between Bangladesh and China has sustained a sound momentum of growth, and the two countries enjoy an increasingly close and frequent exchanges at all levels and in all sectors.
The CVC boasts a prime location, competitive reception capacity, advanced equipment, and a professional management team.
"It is believed that, following its launching, the CVC will significantly enhance the efficiency of visa issuance and the service provided to visa applicants," said Ambassador Yao, wishing the Chinese Visa Center in Dhaka a smooth operation and a great success.
Dhaka, Beijing exchange feasibility study reports on FTA; negotiations to begin soon: Ambassador Yao Wen
Recently, he said, the Embassy has also simplified the visa application documents for participants in the Canton Fair who are exempt from TE Invitation Letters, which has been well received by participants.
“On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, I would like to extend the warmest congratulations on the launching of the CVC, and express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the friends from all walks of life who have long cared about and supported the work of the Embassy!,” he said.
The envoy said more and more Bangladeshi people are willing to travel to China and their demand for Chinese visas have been growing.
"Last year, the number of visa applicants hit a peak at 1500 per day. Despite that we were short-handed and the visa hall of the Embassy was under a strain, we continuously improved our service as well as the capacity to accept more visa applications," he said.
Nevertheless, the envoy said, it was still difficult to fully satisfy the increasing demands of visa applications.
With the purpose of breaking through the development bottleneck of visa services and further promoting the people-to-people exchanges, he said, they have decided to launch the CVC in Dhaka after meticulously and prudently study and discussion.
We envision Center for China Studies as a bridge connecting Bangladesh, China, S Asia and world: Ambassador Yao Wen
It is a common international practice to set up visa application centers in countries where overseas visa application demand is concentrated, and many countries have already established such centers in Bangladesh.
"With this one today, China currently has 103 visa application centers in 55 countries around the world, with a sound management system and extensive experience in operation," said Ambassador Yao.
As a commercial institution registered and operated under the laws of Bangladesh, the CVC is authorized by the Embassy to accept visa applications in strict accordance with the Embassy's requirements and provide applicants with services such as on-site reception, application materials acceptance, passport and legalization documents issuance, and Q&A services.
"The CVC attaches great importance to data security and has taken various measures to protect applicants’ privacy. In accordance with regulations, the embassy will rigorously oversee the operations of the CVC to ensure that applicants receive services that are both comfortable and reliable," said Ambassador Yao.
Throughout this process, he said, they encourage ongoing support to and oversight on their visa operations.
"We also extend a warm invitation for everyone to share valuable and constructive feedback to help enhance the operations of the CVC at any time," said the envoy.
Since the full resumption of visa issuance on March 15 last year, in order to meet the rising demand for personnel exchanges between China and Bangladesh, the Embassy has rolled out a series of measures to facilitate Bangladeshi citizens’ travel to China, the Ambassador said.
These are shortening visa application forms, lowering visa fees for the entire year, exempting certain applicants from fingerprinting, providing walk-in without appointment visa application service, recruiting more staff, adding service counters, extending office hours, optimizing waiting areas, and providing green channels for urgent humanitarian affairs.
China firmly supports Bangladesh in opposing external interference: Ambassador Yao Wen
Most notably, with effect from June 15th last year, the Embassy officially launched the China Online Visa Application System, said Ambassador Yao.
All steps including filling out application forms, submitting application documents, and having interviews are conducted online, reducing the frequency of applicants’ visits to the Embassy.
"These measures have yielded significant results, with nearly 44,000 visas of various types issued by the Embassy in less than 10 months," said the envoy.
Toufique Hasan, Director General of the East Asia & Pacific Wing of the MoFA, Bangladesh, S.N. Manzur Murshed, former President of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), Wang Jicheng, Deputy General Manager of Qiandaifu Company, and Tian Wen and Wang Xiaojing from CIIC Group, were present.
It is our duty to defend the motherland: Army Chief tells seminar
Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed on Thursday said Bangladesh Army is doing everything in contributing to achieving Bangladesh’s foreign policy and helping the country become a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“It is our duty to defend our motherland, to maintain sovereignty of the country and we remain prepared for that. We are doing everything,” he said.
The army chief made the remarks while speaking at a seminar titled “Defence Diplomacy: Strategy for Bangladesh” hosted by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium.
Mentioning Bangabandhu’s foreign policy dictum “Friendship to all, malice towards none” he said they are doing everything to implement this foreign policy
“Diplomacy is nothing but an effort to achieve national interest in any form,” said the army chief, putting emphasis on sustained economic growth with maintaining national security.
He mentioned how the army, in aid to civil power, is doing a lot of nation building activities, disaster management efforts at home and abroad and doing some internal security duties.
The army chief said wherever there is an opportunity, whether it is told and untold, they take the opportunity and do everything for the benefits of Bangladesh.
Talking about military diplomacy, he said they need to enhance the capability by putting in more resources and budget. “We know how to do it but we should have that capability to do it.”
Regarding the Myanmar issue, the army chief said some of the military leaders in Myanmar are facing international sanctions and there is a risk of putting themselves in trouble.
“To make one friend happy, we cannot antagonize another. There are dynamics that we have to look into. Practical connotation has also been taken into consideration. We are doing our best and we are on the right track,” he said.
General Shafiuddin said they have indigenously produced some remotely operated vehicles which are good innovations for Bangladesh Army. “Thus, we are saving a lot of foreign currency as earlier we needed to import these equipment.”
He said military persons not only learn how to fight a war but also know how to prevent or avoid any war to achieve the national interest. “We are on the right track and we will not be failing in discharging our duties.”
At the same time, General Shafiuddin said they never forget the main role of military forces which is to protect the sovereignty of the country and they should be ready in doing that.
He said intention can change overnight but capability does not change overnight. “You are my friend today but what happens if you are not my friend tomorrow? We should be capable of defending our national interest, our motherland but the main foreign policy dictum says every tone for us.”
BIISS Chairman Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker and its Director General Major General Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan, among others, spoke.
Chief of General Staff, Bangladesh Army Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman was also present in the seminar.
Dr ASM Ali Ashraf, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, spoke on “Evolving Notion of Defence Diplomacy and its Role in Achieving Foreign Policy Goals”; ASM Tarek Hassan Semul, Research Fellow, BIISS, talked about “Growing Geopolitical Competition: Challenges and Opportunities of Defence Diplomacy for Bangladesh”; Major General (Retd) Main Ullah Chowdhury, former Deputy Force Commander, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and A/FC, United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), discussed on “Defence Diplomacy in United Nations and Other Overseas Missions: Horizon to Explore” and Air Vice Marshall (Retd) Mahmud Hussain, Distinguished Expert, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU), and former Ambassador, Brunei, made a presentation on “Existing Practices of Defence Diplomacy and Future Directions: The Case of Bangladesh”.
There was an open discussion session followed the presentations.
The speakers and discussants, during the open discussion session, noted that defence diplomacy has emerged as an effective diplomatic instrument and mechanism for crisis prevention to further a country’s diplomatic ties vis-à-vis promoting its foreign and security policy objectives.
From Bangladesh’s perspective, defence diplomacy is regarded as an important mechanism for using armed forces in a non-coercive manner that helps to attain the country’s national interests and foreign policy goals, they said.
They also said that participation in the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping missions - a form of defence diplomacy- is an avenue for Bangladesh to demonstrate its commitment towards global peace and stability as well as enhance its importance and influence worldwide.
The speakers mentioned that the concept and appeal of defence diplomacy are evolving in the diplomatic arena of Bangladesh.
Senior officials from different ministries, high officials from embassies and high commissions, former diplomats, senior civil and military officials, media, academia, researchers, faculties and students from various universities, and representatives from international organisations participated in the seminar and enriched it by presenting their valuable questions, opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session.