Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has invited Irish investment in Bangladesh, particularly in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and IT sectors. He also thanked Ireland for hosting a few thousand Bangladeshis and requested the Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney to ease the visa process to enable more Bangladeshi students and IT professionals to pursue higher studies and work in Ireland. The Foreign Minister thanked the Irish Minister for visiting Bangladesh to further strengthen Bangladesh-Ireland bilateral relations. He suggested further enhancement of bilateral trade in goods and services through new initiatives and sought Ireland’s support for EU’s EBA trade preferences to Bangladesh until 2032 and GSP+ benefits beyond 2032. Minister Simon Coveney met with the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 18. Foreign Minister requests visiting Irish Minister to ease the visa process The Irish Minister congratulated the Foreign Minister on his new appointment. Highly praising Bangladesh’s sustained high economic growth, he suggested exchange of visits of delegations with special focus on bilateral trade and collaboration in the areas of technology, pharmaceuticals and energy. He also assured Irish support in favour of Bangladesh’s appeal for extension of EBA facilities until 2032 and GSP+ facilities beyond 2032. Referring to the migrant-friendly policy of the Irish government, the Irish Minister welcomed more Bangladeshi students and professionals to Ireland. The Irish Minister hoped for an early solution of the Rohingya crisis and added that an additional Euro 1.5 million humanitarian assistance would be provided to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The two ministers shared their views on the war in Gaza and expressed deep concern over the killing of people, particularly women and children. They agreed that the two-state solution can bring lasting peace in the region. 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 as its Honorary 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. FM thanks Ireland for opening its Honorary Consulate in Dhaka On the occasion of St Patrick’s Day, the National Day of Ireland and official opening of the Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Bangladesh, Masud Jamil Khan and Kate Khan hosted an Iftar-dinner at a Dhaka hotel on Monday. The Irish Minister, Irish Ambassador to India, former Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, business leaders and journalists were present at the event.

Bangladesh can use Spanish experience and technological know- how in improving its agro-processing sector as Spain holds the first position in producing agricultural products and in agro-processing business, said Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh Francisco de Asis Benites Salas. Ambassador Francisco said this when he met President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Rizwan Rahman on Monday at the DCCI Building in the capital. The Spanish Ambassador also proposed the use of their experience and knowledge in preserving the historic and heritage sites in Bangladesh which will help the country attract more tourists from home and abroad. Also read: Agro-Tech Startups in Bangladesh: Tech revolution in Agriculture Sector Rizwan Rahman told the envoy that the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Spain was $2.37 billion in FY2019-20, of which Bangladesh’s export and import was $2.19 billion and $177.98 million respectively. He said export from Bangladesh to Spain is heavily concentrated on its RMG products, but Bangladeshi footwear, carpet and floor covering, jute goods, bicycle, plastic, consumer goods, dairy products also have huge potential to be exported to Spain. The DCCI President urged Spanish entrepreneurs to invest in infrastructure, railways, healthcare, agro machineries and agro-product processing, tourism, IT & ITES, automotive and APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) sectors of Bangladesh. Ambassador Francisco mentioned that Bangladesh has made tremendous economic success in recent years to become a role model for the rest of the world. Also read: Agro revolution to be seen in saline areas: Dr Razzaque He said that there is a huge scope to improve bilateral trade between the two countries as Spanish entrepreneurs can invest in tourism, infrastructure, railways, healthcare and automotive sectors in Bangladesh. DCCI Senior Vice President N K A Mobin, FCS Vice President Monowar Hossain and Commercial Counselor of Spanish Embassy Francisco Javier Yepes were also present at the meeting.