Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has said engagement of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) can play a crucial role in shaping the financial, social and economic conditions of the country. He made the remark during a meeting with Nayem Uddin Ahmed, consul general of the Bangladesh Consulate General in Toronto, recently, said the apparel industry's apex body Monday. BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib was also present at the meeting. READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image Faruque said many NRBs are well-established businessmen, having huge investments in their countries of residence, while many hold influential positions in governments as politicians and members of parliaments. Also, a lot of Bangladeshis are renowned scientists, academicians, researchers, high government officials and holding other prestigious positions. Avenues should be created in an effective way to allow them to contribute to the development of Bangladesh, he added. He sought the cooperation of Nayem Uddin to help the NRBs living in Canada promote the interests of Bangladesh. The BGMEA president expressed thanks to the Bangladesh government for setting up a state-of-the-art office of the consulate general in Toronto as it would be helpful to showcase "Made in Bangladesh" products, including apparel items and attract potential foreign investors. READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh Also, he requested the consul general to consider providing one-stop services to foreign investors from the consulate general

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds married Saturday in a small private ceremony in London, U.K. newspapers reported. Johnson’s office declined to comment on reports in the Mail on Sunday and the Sun that the couple wed at the Roman Catholic Westminster Cathedral in front of a small group of friends and family. The Sun said senior staff in Johnson’s 10 Downing St. office were unaware of the wedding plan. Under current coronavirus restrictions in England, weddings can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Read:Brexit trade talks with EU in ‘serious situation’: Boris Johnson Johnson, 56, and 33-year-old Symonds, an environmental campaigner, announced their engagement in February 2020 and have a son together, 1-year-old Wilfred. The marriage would be Symonds’ first and Johnson’s third. He has at least five other children from previous relationships. The last British prime minister to marry in office was Lord Liverpool in 1822. Politicians sent congratulations after the news was reported. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster tweeted: “Huge congratulations to Boris Johnson & Carrie Symonds on your wedding today.” Read:Boris Johnson self-quarantining after contracting Covid-19 infected MP The reported nuptials come after a tumultuous political week for Johnson, who was accused by former top aide Dominic Cummings on Wednesday of bungling the government’s response to the coronavirus and being “unfit for the job.” On Friday, an ethics inquiry found the prime minister acted “unwisely” in renovating his Downing Street apartment without knowing where the money had come from, though it cleared him of misconduct.