“Bangladesh attained tremendous socioeconomic progress in the last one decade and we’ll maintain our assistance to its development efforts,” she said.

The Australian High Commissioner said this when she made farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban in the evening.

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The Australian envoy put emphasis on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in different fields, particularly energy and education.

Julia Niblett highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving shelter to over 1.1 million forcibly-displaced Rohingyas.

She apprised the Prime Minister of the Australian bushfire.

Sheikh Hasina highlighted her government’s various disaster management programmes. “We’re implementing massive afforestation programmes in the country to combat the adverse impacts of climate change,” she said.

PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus was present on the occasion.

Outgoing Sri Lankan Envoy

Later, outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner AWJ Crisanthe De Silva paid the farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Ganobhaban.

Pointing out Bangladesh’s excellent relations with Sri Lanka, Sheikh Hasina said Dhaka always attaches importance to its relations with neighbours.

About terrorism, the Prime Minister reiterated her government’s “zero-tolerance policy” against the menace. “We’ll never allow anybody to use our land for carrying out terrorist acts in other countries,” she said.

Referring to the Sri Lanka’s expertise in fishing, Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on joint collaboration between the two countries in the field.

The Sri Lankan envoy recalled her fond memories in Bangladesh and thanked the Prime Minister for extending heartfelt cooperation to him during his stay here.

PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present on the occasion.