President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday sought greater Australian cooperation in developing skilled human resources, skills training and energy security, including LNG supplies, while promoting investment and expanding economic partnership between Bangladesh and Australia.
He made the call when Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.
During the meeting, the Australian envoy conveyed congratulations to President Mirza Fakhrul on behalf of Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn and handed over a formal letter of greetings.
The President thanked the Governor-General for the greetings.
He sought Australia’s cooperation in diversifying Bangladesh’s energy sources and proposed creating opportunities for importing LNG from Australia.
Mirza Fakhrul also called for greater Australian investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, energy exploration, agro-processing, medical technology, logistics and manufacturing.
He expressed hope that the meetings of senior officials and the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) scheduled for November in Canberra will play an important role in expanding bilateral trade and investment.
The President welcomed opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi professionals to migrate to Australia, particularly in information technology, engineering and other technical fields.
He also sought continued Australian support for scholarships and academic exchange programmes, as well as cooperation in establishing a campus of the University of Canberra in Dhaka.
To develop job-oriented skills for Bangladesh’s growing workforce, Mirza Fakhrul proposed expanding cooperation between Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions and Bangladesh’s Technical Training Centres (TTCs).
He emphasised technical training in various fields, including caregiver training.
Referring to the Rohingya crisis, the President expressed gratitude for Australia’s continued humanitarian assistance and called for its continued support for a sustainable solution to the protracted crisis.
He expressed hope that the Bangladesh-Australia partnership will place greater emphasis in the future on practical economic opportunities, skills development, investment and increased people-to-people connectivity and mobility.
The Australian high commissioner stressed the need for strong foreign exchange reserves, tax reforms, judicial independence and a business-friendly regulatory framework to attract Australian investment.
She also appreciated the banking reforms in Bangladesh and expressed Australia’s interest in further strengthening existing cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
The President’s military secretary, secretary, press secretary and an additional secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.
Australian Deputy High Commissioner Clinton Pobke also attended the meeting.