Bangladesh and Hungary have discussed ways to increase trade between the two countries apart from exploring cooperation in the health sector. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had a bilateral meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Geneva recently and discussed the issues of mutual cooperation between the two countries. 

Both of them were in Geneva to participate in the Asia-Pacific Regional Review Meeting in preparation for the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC 5) to be held in Qatar in January 2022. 

Also read: Bangladesh, Hungary sign MoU over scholarships

At the meeting, the issues of bilateral interest as well as multilateral ones were discussed, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. 

Foreign Minister Momen thanked the Hungarian Foreign Minister for offering scholarships to Bangladeshi students, and requested him to increase the number of scholarships allocated to Bangladesh. 

Szijjarto assured Dr Momen that the Hungarian government would increase the number of scholarships to Bangladeshi students next year. 

The issue of operationalisation of the Consulate of Hungary also came up at the meeting for discussions.

Also read: Bangladesh, Hungary to discuss trade, investment issues Thursday

Dr Momen also co-chaired a session of the ongoing Asia-Pacific Regional Review Meeting of the LDCs together with the Undersecretary of Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar at the UN Headquarters in Geneva. 

The session titled “Structural transformation and resilient infrastructure for sustained economic growth, poverty alleviation and decent work for all” highlighted structural impediments faced by the LDCs of the Asia-Pacific region and how to build resilience against internal and external shocks and crises. 

The session was attended by a number of high-level speakers including the Economic Affairs Minister of Bhutan.