First meeting of the African Consular Corps in Bangladesh held in Dhaka
The first meeting of the African Consular Corps in Bangladesh (ACCB) was held yesterday (27 February) at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka.
The historic event was initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted by Abul Hossain, Honorary Consul of Uganda and Convenor of ACCB, according to a press release.
The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Bangladesh and African nations, with discussions covering key areas such as bilateral trade, culture, agriculture, public diplomacy, and diplomatic relations.
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Honorary Consuls representing various African nations in Bangladesh actively participated in the session, setting the stage for deeper engagement and future collaborations.
A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal for an Africa-Bangladesh Business Summit 2025, aimed at fostering trade and investment between the regions. In preparation for this, the ACCB plans to organize courtesy calls on the Foreign Secretary and the Foreign Affairs Adviser to further discuss diplomatic and economic initiatives.
BM Jamal Hossain, director general (Africa wing) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the event as the Special Guest.
He underscored the crucial role of Honorary Consuls in enhancing bilateral relations and reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting all efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic partnerships. He assured that the Africa Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would extend full cooperation to the Honorary Consuls in their diplomatic missions.
Several esteemed Honorary Consuls representing African nations in Bangladesh attended the meeting, including Mohammed Iqbal Hossain, Honorary Consul of Rwanda, Solaiman Alam Seth, Honorary Consul of South Africa, Mohammed Riadh Ali, Honorary Consul of Malawi, Akhter Hossain, Honorary Consul of Namibia, Nurul Islam, Honorary Consul of South Sudan, and Dr Mohd Zayed Alam, Honorary Consul of Zambia.
The first ACCB meeting marks a significant step in enhancing diplomatic and economic collaboration between Bangladesh and African nations.
The discussions held during the event will serve as a foundation for future initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment, and cultural exchange. With the Africa-Bangladesh Business Summit 2025 on the horizon, stakeholders from both regions are optimistic about the potential for increased economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement in the years to come.
