Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has thanked Ireland for opening the Honorary Consulate in Dhaka and requested to increase the employment of Bangladeshis in Ireland.

He especially requested to ease the student visa process by allowing students to submit their visa applications to the Honorary Consulate in Dhaka.

Irish Minister Simon Coveney officially opens its first Honorary Consulate in Dhaka

The Foreign Minister also sought Ireland's support to continue the Everything But Arms (EBA) benefits of the European Union even after Bangladesh's graduation.

The issues were discussed when the Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney met the Foreign Minister at his office.

Irish Minister Simon Coveney pays homage to Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi-32

Ireland's Minister said he views the visit as his country's first full ministerial visit to Bangladesh with great importance and expressed consensus that more manpower and students from this country would go to Ireland.

He also responded positively to the Foreign Minister's call for increased investment and diversification.

Irish Minister Simon Coveney to meet PM Hasina Monday

Earlier, the Irish Minister officially opened Ireland’s first Honorary Consulate in Dhaka, which is seen as an “important milestone” in the relations between Bangladesh and Ireland.

In its desire to further expand the bilateral relations with Dhaka, Ireland has recently appointed Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan its Honourary Consul in Bangladesh.

Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, and Masud Jamil Khan, among others, were present during the opening ceremony.

The Irish Minister arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a two-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.

He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Adviser Salman F Rahman separately on Monday.

State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam (Titu), MP hosted an iftar-dinner in honor of the visiting Irish Minister Sunday evening at the State guesthouse Padma.