State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh and Eswatini can establish cooperation in agro-production, agro-processing and food security areas in the context of growing demand for food and essential commodities. He mentioned the remarkable success that Bangladesh has achieved in agriculture and social development sectors including achieving targets of the MDGs. The State Minister had bilateral talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini Thulisile Dladla in Mbabane on February 6. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to South Africa and high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting. The visit comes following the visit of the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade of Eswatini Manqoba Khumalo to Dhaka in July 2022. The MoU between Bangladesh and Eswatini on “Establishment of Comprehensive Consultation Mechanism” and the memorandum of agreement on “Contract Farming and Agricultural Cooperation” were signed by State Minister Alam and his counterpart Thulisile Dladla, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. During the talks, both sides discussed possibilities of establishing contract farming by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in Eswatini and agreed to work on the matter. Both sides also agreed to explore possibilities of cooperation in agro-processed and food industries. Jabulani Mabuza, the Minister of Agriculture of Eswatini, said agriculture is a major potential area of cooperation between Eswatini and Bangladesh. He said a delegation from the Eswatinian Agriculture Ministry may visit Bangladesh to share knowledge in the agriculture sector. He invited Bangladeshi agricultural farms to establish contract farming in Eswatini. The Eswatinian side showed interest in sharing knowledge in agricultural production, agro-commercialization as well as agro-research and extension areas with Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister of Eswatini expressed desire to enhance the present level of relations with Bangladesh. She maintained that Eswatini looked to develop business and investment relations with Bangladesh and suggested the conclusion of the MoU between FBCCI and the Eswatinian apex chamber of commerce in the field of business cooperation. The State Minister conveyed the greetings of President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to King Mswati III. Alam stressed on promotion of trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and Eswatini to the mutual benefit of the two countries. He underlined the need of conclusion of agreements in visa waiver for diplomats and official passport holders and avoidance of double taxation with a view to promoting contacts, trade and business. The State Minister invited the Eswatinian armed forces officers to join courses in defence institutions in Bangladesh. Briefing on the opportunities of higher education in Bangladesh private universities, he suggested that Eswatinian students may opt to study in different private universities in Bangladesh.    

Describing elite force Rab as a “brand name for peace” in villages, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Sunday said this institution should not be maligned which helped the country contain militancy. “Please don’t try to malign this institution on which we rely heavily,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, apparently referring to the US sanctions imposed on Rab in last December. He also said, “You go to villages and you will see Rab is a brand name for peace. Rab is a brand name where you will get justice and Rab is a brand name for anti-terrorism activities.” Also read: Dhaka renews call to Washington to lift Rab sanctions In the past, the state minister said, Rab had been established on the recommendation of different countries and it has over the years become well-organized and strong with training from a number of countries.

The 5th BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled to be held on March 30, is likely to adopt the long-awaited BIMSTEC transport connectivity master plan, says State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam. This plan, he said, will put new impetus in implementation of multi-modal connectivity projects involving the member states towards regional integration in the Bay of Bengal region. Though the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the momentum, the 5th BIMSTEC Summit will be held this month after four years since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit held in 2018. This summit will be hosted by current chair Sri Lanka. The 5th BIMSTEC Summit will be an opportunity to review and reflect what had worked and what did not, said the State Minister. “It will be an opportunity to refresh and renew their commitment to strengthen the BIMSTEC Process in all respects,” he said. Also read: Shahriar meets Lekhi in Delhi At the impending BIMSTEC Summit, Alam said, a substantive number of issues are expected to be high on the agenda of the leaders for their consideration and adoption.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam discussed ways to enhance trade and investment between Bangladesh and Egypt in a series of meetings in Cairo over the last couple of days. The Egyptian entrepreneurs invited Bangladesh entrepreneurs to invest in Egypt and explore possibilities of joint collaboration in potential areas. During his meeting with Dr. Hala Helmy Elsaid, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Shahriar Alam mentioned that Bangladesh government has successfully lowered the rate of poverty. The Egyptian Minister briefed the State Minister for Foreign Affairs about the mega, development and welfare projects undertaken by the Egyptian government. Also read: Dhaka, Riyadh "dynamic partnership" to reach new height under inspired leadership: Saudi envoy Shariar Alam said Bangladesh and Egypt are working in D8 (Developing-8) for facilitation of trade. The Egyptian Development Minister suggested that both countries may cooperate in areas like cotton production and possible production of staples. The State Minister apprised the Egyptian Minister  of the remarkable achievements that Bangladesh has made in various socio economic areas. He said that Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in food production and meeting demand of electricity while Bangladesh’s exports have doubled. Shahriar Alam informed that the government is putting importance on health, education and infrastructure sectors development. The State Minister met with Engineer Yehia Zaki, CEO of Suez Canal Economic Zone at his office on Wednesday, accompanied by Ambassador of Bangladesh in Cairo, Director General (Africa) and other officials of the Foreign Ministry. Also read: Dhaka, London to hold 1st ever defence dialogue in city Wednesday The CEO of Suez Canal briefed the State Minister about the activities of Suez Canal Economic zone. He invited Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to invest in Suez Canal economic zone. The State Minister mentioned that Bangladeshi investors may invest in suitable area in Suez Canal. The State Minister later met with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Nevin Gamea at her office. The Egyptian Minister was accompanied by Assistant Minister and other trade related high level officials. Both sides reflected on potential areas of cooperation and agreed to identify potential markets. The State Minister said the government has taken measures to enhance Bangladesh' exports to African countries terming Africa as a very potential region for cooperation. He proposed that high level delegation may visit from Egypt to Bangladesh to find out potential areas of cooperation in trade and investment. The State Minister also met with A. D. Khaled El-Anany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities at his office. He expressed happiness over the decision of the Egyptian side to introduce operations of Egypt Air from Dhaka to Egypt directly. The State Minister suggested that there may be cooperation in exchange of knowledge in hospitality and tourism sectors between Bangladesh and Egypt. The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities said the government of Egypt would offer exchange education for Bangladesh students in tourism sector with Bangladesh. The State Minister also met with Egyptian Chamber of Industry, representatives of Apparel and Textiles and Egyptian entrepreneurs.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh wants to see lasting peace in Afghanistan that has gone through many ups and downs, noting that the current situation has an impact on South Asian politics. He said Bangladesh expects that there will be no black chapter in like past but people’s rights will be established. The State Minister said Bangladesh will decide the nature of its relations with Afghanistan observing the situation closely and considering how things move ahead.      “We’re ready to help Afghanistan when we feel that there’s a stable government in place with people’s mandate,” he told reporters on Monday. The State Minister said things are still premature as the situation is evolving and Bangladesh cannot welcome it until there is a permanent government. “We’ll extend our helping hand timely.” Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Shahriar said the Prime Minister repeatedly talked about regional peace and prosperity. He said South Asia’s potential and opportunity remained unexplored for a long time and Bangladesh wants to see that peace is restored in Afghanistan. Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Bangladesh is carefully observing the fast evolving situation in Afghanistan, which, Bangladesh believes, may have an impact on the region and beyond. READ: Time to allow young generation dream big: Shahriar "We urge all stakeholders in Afghanistan to maintain peace and calm ensuring safety and security of all including foreign nationals," said the Ministry in a statement. Bangladesh said it would be happy to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for the socio-economic development of the country. Bangladesh and Afghanistan share historical and cultural linkages. It is a fellow member of SAARC and an integral part of South Asia. Bangladesh recalled the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of Afghanistan to Bangladesh during the War of Liberation. "Bangladesh is committed to working with Afghanistan for fulfilling the visionary policy of the Prime Minister that the region must grow and prosper together for this development to be sustainable," the statement reads. Bangladesh believes that a democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan as chosen by its people is the only guarantee of stability and development in the country. In this regard, Bangladesh considers itself a potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan. "We stand ready to share our best practices with Afghanistan in a range of areas, such as basic education, community healthcare, sanitation, human resources development, agriculture, climate change adaptation, disaster management and ICT enabled public service delivery," said the Ministry. Bangladesh firmly believes that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves. READ: Big-B Initiative to bring more investment to Bangladesh: Shahriar Bangladesh wishes to see Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, prosperous, responsible and contributing member of the South Asian region and the global community.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Sunday said the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) has huge prospects for economic cooperation as much its potentials are still unexplored and unexploited. 

Dhaka has urged Kuala Lumpur to do the needful for bringing back the stranded Bangladeshi workers to their old and new places of work in Malaysia on humanitarian grounds. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has distributed certificates among the participants of the 25th specialized diplomatic training course.