UNB, Dhaka :
Iraq has proposed resuming the direct air link between Dhaka and Baghdad alongside showing interest to import jute and jute-made goods, ceramic, tiles, pharmaceutical and readymade garment and other items from Bangladesh.
The interest was conveyed when outgoing Iraqi Ambassador to Bangladesh Shakir Qasim Mahdi paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office on Wednesday.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri said the Iraqi envoy underscored the need for further close relations between the two countries to boost bilateral trade and commerce.
Qasim Mahdi suggested holding foreign office consultations as well as official-level exchange between the two countries to enhance and strengthen bilateral relations.
Talking about the ongoing hartal and blockade programmes, the envoy expressed his unhappiness as his country does not want to see any such programmes when Bangladesh is achieving marked economic development. He also hoped Bangladesh would be able to come out from the present situation and continue its economic progress.
Expressing his grief over the killings and burning people to death in the name of hartal and blockade, Mahdi said such things should not happen.
He also proposed resuming the direct air link between Dhaka and Baghdad.
Terming Bangladeshis as hardworking, efficient and law-abiding ones, the Iraqi envoy said the manpower import from Bangladesh has been increased in recent times and they would continue to work in Iraq.
In this context, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government is now sending Bangladeshi manpower abroad after training up them.
Recalling Iraq’s recognition to Bangladesh on July 8, 1972 as the first Arab country, she hoped to boost the existing excellent bilateral relations further.
Hasina also laid emphasis on bilateral exchanges in all sectors as well as increase people-to-people contact to this end. The Prime Minister also expressed her interest to exchange business-level delegations.
PM’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, PM’s Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder were, among others, present.
Iraq has proposed resuming the direct air link between Dhaka and Baghdad alongside showing interest to import jute and jute-made goods, ceramic, tiles, pharmaceutical and readymade garment and other items from Bangladesh.
The interest was conveyed when outgoing Iraqi Ambassador to Bangladesh Shakir Qasim Mahdi paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office on Wednesday.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri said the Iraqi envoy underscored the need for further close relations between the two countries to boost bilateral trade and commerce.
Qasim Mahdi suggested holding foreign office consultations as well as official-level exchange between the two countries to enhance and strengthen bilateral relations.
Talking about the ongoing hartal and blockade programmes, the envoy expressed his unhappiness as his country does not want to see any such programmes when Bangladesh is achieving marked economic development. He also hoped Bangladesh would be able to come out from the present situation and continue its economic progress.
Expressing his grief over the killings and burning people to death in the name of hartal and blockade, Mahdi said such things should not happen.
He also proposed resuming the direct air link between Dhaka and Baghdad.
Terming Bangladeshis as hardworking, efficient and law-abiding ones, the Iraqi envoy said the manpower import from Bangladesh has been increased in recent times and they would continue to work in Iraq.
In this context, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government is now sending Bangladeshi manpower abroad after training up them.
Recalling Iraq’s recognition to Bangladesh on July 8, 1972 as the first Arab country, she hoped to boost the existing excellent bilateral relations further.
Hasina also laid emphasis on bilateral exchanges in all sectors as well as increase people-to-people contact to this end. The Prime Minister also expressed her interest to exchange business-level delegations.
PM’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, PM’s Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder were, among others, present.
