Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday (March 06, 2023) asked Bangladeshi diplomats to play an active role in strengthening economic diplomacy in order to sustain the country’s graduation to the developing status through enhancing trade and export with different countries. “Bangladeshi diplomats working in different countries will have to be active in strengthening economic diplomacy alongside brightening the image of the country,” she said. The premier gave the directive at a regional envoy conference, held at her place of residence in Doha, with participation of Bangladeshi diplomats stationed in the Middle Eastern countries. She said since Bangladesh is going to graduate to a developing country, attention is needed on countries where Bangladesh could enhance its trade and business. Read more: Qatar Foundation Chair Nasser meets PM “You will have to discuss and negotiate with all the countries, so that we can sustain as a developing country, move forward, and can finally graduate to a developed country,” she said.    Sheikh Hasina said once diplomacy was a political issue, and now it is an economic issue. “So, those of us who are working (in different countries) will have to identify trade and business opportunities there so that we can boost our exports and import goods at competitive prices.”   “Identify the places where there is demand for our products and where we have the scope to market our goods,” she added. Referring to the policy of Bangladesh to maintain good relations with all countries, the PM reiterated the cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy is ‘friendship to all, malice towards none.’ Read More: Bangladesh open to Qatar’s investment in energy sector: PM tells Doha Investment Summit The premier said Bangladesh would maintain friendly relations with everyone. But when injustice is done, Bangladesh will definitely speak out while maintaining friendly relations, as it did with Myanmar. “…We gave shelter to the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds, but we did not engage in conflict with Myanmar. Bangladesh is making diplomatic efforts to send the Rohingyas back to their homeland,” she said. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, among others, were present at the conference. The Prime Minister is now visiting Qatar to attend the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC-5). She arrived in Qatar last Saturday at the invitation of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh is scheduled to leave here for Dhaka on Wednesday. Read More: PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Qatar to join UN conference on LDCs.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has welcomed the formation of the Canada Bangladesh Alumni Association (CBAA), as an effective public as well as economic diplomacy tool to augment bilateral relations between the two countries. A delegation led by the President of the Executive Council (EXCO) of CBAA Khorshed Khastagir met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently. Director General (Public Diplomacy) Toufique Hasan, Director General (Foreign Minister’s Office) Emdadul Islam Chowdhury of the Ministry and CBAA Vice President Saiful Islam, Treasurer Eazaz Mohammed, EXCO members Kazi Muinur Rahman and Ehtesham Jilhan Bin Salim were present during the courtesy call on, said a media release on Thursday. Read:Outgoing Indian envoy meets Momen, extends Jaishankar’s invitation for event during UNGA

Prime Minister's Adviser for Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman on Wednesday said Bangladesh would continue to pursue economic diplomacy proactively with neighbouring, regional and global players.

The government has decided to establish ‘Bangabandhu Research Center for Foreign Policy and Diplomacy’ in the ‘Mujib Borsho’ to keep Bangabandhu's association with Sugandha alive in the minds of the successive generations.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday asked Bangladesh’s diplomats to reinforce economic diplomacy for expanding trade and business to achieve economic self-reliance for the country.

Indian daily Anandabazar Patrika has sought unconditional apology for using the word "khairati" in a recent report after China had granted more Bangladeshi products duty free access to its market.

The government wants to expedite its efforts engaging global trade partners in an effort to keep the current trade privileges unhurt once Bangladesh comes out from the LDCs (least developed countries) club.