BSS :
Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged South Africa to consider opening its resident mission in Dhaka while reiterating Bangladesh government’s desire to work closely with Pretoria for further strengthening the bilateral ties.
Dr Momen, who is now in South Africa on an official visit, made the request while holding a bilateral meeting on Tuesday with South African Foreign Minister Naledi M Pandor in the executive capital of that African nation Pretoria, a foreign ministry press release said in Dhaka on Wednesday. In reply, Pandor assured that the South African government may initially establish a diplomatic representation of their country in Bangladesh.
During the meeting, Dr Momen suggested that South African investors may invest in Bangladesh while both the countries can exchange knowledge in ICT areas.
The Bangladesh foreign minister also observed that joint collaboration may be established in ready-made garments and pharmaceuticals sectors.
Momen proposed to his South African counterpart for establishment of a centre on agricultural cooperation between the two courtiers, which may be named as Bangabandhu-Mandela Centre on Agriculture Cooperation and be based in South Africa.
Bangladesh foreign minister said that both countries may continue cooperating in IORA, Blue Economy and Climate Change areas.
The South African foreign minister praised the remarkable socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She expressed satisfaction that the two countries have already signed some important agreements and a good number of agreements are under discussion now.
She underlined the importance of organizing regular senior official meetings between the two countries.
The South African foreign minister mentioned that both countries have a lot of potentials for cooperation in trade, investments and technical exchanges.
She hailed the success of Bangladesh in women empowerment, social safety net poverty eradication, food security and micro entrepreneurship.
Pandor also praised the outstanding role of Bangladesh peace keepers in the UN missions, including in Africa.
She reiterated the intention of the South African government to continue cooperation under the framework of IORA.
The South African foreign minister felicitated the celebration of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as well as the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
She referred to the historic visit of Nelson Mandela in Bangladesh in 1997 during the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
At the end of the meeting, a joint communiqué was signed expressing the intention of both sides to further develop the bilateral relations including trade and economic cooperation.
