Singapore will upgrade its consulate in Dhaka to a high commission from October 1. The upgrade reflects the enhanced economic and people-to-people relations between Singapore and Bangladesh, said the government of Singapore. Singapore's support sought for Rohingya repatriation, Dhaka's inclusion as ASEAN Dialogue Partner The development was shared by Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on September 20 during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The high commission’s operating hours will be from 9 am to 5 pm, Sundays to Thursdays (closed on Bangladesh’s public holidays and Singapore’s National Day). Foreign minister seeks to expand economic ties with Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Momen had earlier requested the Singapore Foreign Minister to set up a full-fledged mission in Dhaka that would benefit both countries. Momen called for more investment from Singapore in Bangladesh and said that Singapore can take the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh’s special economic zones. Singapore delegation meets BGMEA leaders to discuss trade potential

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Turkey has accorded a reception to 39 Bangladeshi students who have passed Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Ph.D. courses. The event was held at the "Bijoy Ekattor Auditorium" of the Embassy on Saturday (October 1, 2022), said the Embassy in a media release. Ambassador Mosud Mannan was present at the event. Besides, expatriate Bangladeshis living in different cities of the country attended the gathering. At the beginning of the programme, recitation from the Holy Quran and special prayers were offered. Read: 4 IU teachers to attend int’l training in Turkey The Ambassador paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He called upon the students present at the felicitation ceremony to contribute to the ongoing development process of the country by honoring the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation in 1971. A raffle draw was held at the end of the programme where seven winners were gifted laptops, mobiles and electronics materials.

Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo on Saturday observed the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh with due fervor and festivities. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madame Shiranthi Rajapaksa joined the National Day reception hosted by the High Commission in a manifestation of the goodwill between the two countries, said a press release.  This year’s observance in Sri Lanka had special significance as on 4th March 2022, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka marked 50 years of their diplomatic relations. The reception was attended by a large number of high dignitaries including Speaker of the Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, top political leaders, Heads of Diplomatic Missions as well as professionals, business leaders and Bangladesh community members.  Minister for Industry S.B. Dissanayake, and State Minister for Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya were among the ministers present. While addressing the guests, High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam conveyed greetings and shared happiness on 50 years of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.  READ: Resolution marking 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence introduced in US House The guest of honour, Industries Minister expressed goodwill for Bangladesh and its people and wished for further deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries.  The Prime Minister joined the High Commissioner and Minister for Industries in cutting a cake - wishing long-lasting friendship between the two countries.        Earlier, the day-long celebration commenced in the morning with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag at the Chancery by High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam.  Then one-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the martyrs of the War of Liberation.  It was followed by placing of floral wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; reading out of messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs; and offering of special prayers seeking eternal peace for the martyrs, Father of the Nation and his martyred family members as well as continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.  A documentary on the day was also screened. Taking part in the open discussion on the significance of the Day, the speakers paid rich tribute to Bangabandhu and reflected on the history of the War of Liberation. High Commissioner Tareq paid deep homage to the Father of the Nation, the martyrs, valiant freedom fighters, heroic women as well as the foreign friends and friendly foreign nations who supported Bangladesh’s War of Liberation.  He also highlighted Bangladesh’s development journey under the pragmatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Special supplements were published in the Daily Mirror and the Financial Times, the top two English dailies of Sri Lanka and also on some online news portals. 

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday celebrated the Independence and National Day with a vow to continue to work for boosting the country’s positive image abroad. The mission paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Liberation War martyrs by offering special prayers. In the morning High Commissioner Muhammad Imran led the flag hosting ceremony at the mission. The national anthem was played to mark the day. Independence Day messages from President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam were read out. READ: Hasina greets Freedom Fighters on Independence Day Deputy High Commissioner Md. Nural Islam read out the President’s message and Minister (Commerce) Dr. A K M Atiqul Haque read out the Prime Minister’s message. Minister (Press) Shaban Mahmood also joined. Before the discussion the High Commissioner placed floral wreath on Bangabandhu’s portrait with the officers and staff of the High Commission. Bangladesh Biman Airlines and Bangladesh Sangbad Sanghsta – BSS, Delhi staff members were present. High Commissioner Imran said the farsighted leadership and uncompromising struggle of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought the independence. He also mentioned that it is a very important to get know about Bangabandhu first to know the history of Bangladesh. "Our independence was based on Bangabandhu’s dream of socio-economic emancipation of the people of Bangladesh. Today the dream becomes reality due to able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her relentless efforts," he said. The High Commissioner said the new generation should follow the ideology of Bangabandhu. " If we perform our duty and responsibility with honesty and integrity, we will be able to achieve the dreams of Bangabandhu and transform our motherland as Sonar Bangla." A special prayer was offered for the salvation of the departed souls of all the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

New Delhi has conveyed it to Dhaka that Bangladesh remains "one of the most important pillars" of its foreign policy and the relations between the two countries will keep growing on all fronts.

More than 340 stranded Canadian citizens and permanent residents left Dhaka  for Toronto on Sunday.