Croatia expressed eagerness to deepen bilateral ties with Bangladesh, especially in the areas of trade, shipbuilding, energy, sports and culture as it had lauded Bangladesh’s “spectacular” growth in economic sectors.
“Bangladesh and Croatia can collaborate in shipbuilding, renewable energy and other important sectors for mutual benefits as there is room for enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries in various fields,” said Croatian Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Zdravka Busic on Tuesday in Zagreb.
During a meeting with the visiting Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, who is now on an official visit to Croatia, the Croatian Deputy Minister stressed on regular exchanges at the political, official and business level to further strengthening the existing bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Md. Shahriar Alam, MP also attended the AGM of the International Tennis Federation being held in Zagreb as the President of Bangladesh Tennis Federation and a Board Member of Asian Tennis Federation, according to a message received here today.
This is the first-ever ministerial-level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in December 1997.
Shahriar Alam also held meeting with the Minister of Economy Leo Prelec and Head of International Cooperation Division of Chamber of Economy Mirjana Turudic during his Croatia visit.
Highlighting the similar ethos and aspirations between Bangladesh and Croatia in the struggle for self-determination and independence, Shahriar Alam recalled the association of Bangladesh peacekeepers in the independence of Croatia through participation in the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the Balkans.
He expressed Bangladesh’s eagerness to further deepen and expand excellent friendly relations between the two countries.
The State Minister briefed his Croatian counterpart of Bangladesh’s robust socioeconomic growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and invited her to see for herself the development spree in Bangladesh.
The Croatian Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs assured their full cooperation as a member of European Union towards Bangladesh’s progress and prosperity.
Shahriar Alam underlined the importance of concluding relevant bilateral instruments including promotion and protection of investments, institutional cooperation between apex chambers for institutionalizing economic cooperation between the two friendly countries.
Requesting Bangladesh to explore using Croatian seaports for trade with the EU, the Croatian Deputy Minister of Economy also stressed on cooperation in the field of shipping.
At the meeting with the Head of International Cooperation Division of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Shahriar Alam and Mirjana Turudic discussed ways and means to enhance bilateral trade between the two friendly countries.
Kazi Russel Pervez, Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague and Dewan Ali Ashraf, Director (State Minister’s Office) accompanied the State Minister for Foreign Affairs while the Croatian Deputy Ministers and Head of International Cooperation Division of the Croatian Chamber of Economy were accompanied by respective relevant officials.
