Bangladesh, Australia determined to cooperate and advance bilateral relations

The foreign ministers of Bangladesh and Australia have expressed their determination to take relations between the two countries to a new level through cooperation in trade and commerce, and human resource development.

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, AK Abdul Momen, talked to his Australian counterpart, Hon Marise Payne, over the phone on Tuesday.

Expressing satisfaction with progress in the signing of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa) between the two countries, Abdul Momen noted that Australia has great potential to cooperate in environment friendly technologies and renewable energy.

Seeking the cooperation of Australia in enhancing the skills and training of manpower in Bangladesh, he called on Australia to invest in 100 economic zones and 28 high-tech parks in Bangladesh, including ICT, telecommunications, jute, and the blue economy.

He also emphasised the need to increase trade between the two countries.

Momen thanked the Australian government for its continued cooperation with Myanmar's displaced Rohingya people, and urged them to continue efforts to take the Rohingyas back to Myanmar.

The foreign minister of Bangladesh requested various aid organisations to use "aid for Rohingyas" instead of "aid for Bangladesh" in providing assistance sent from Australia.  

Saying that Australia has very friendly relations with Bangladesh, Momen thanked the prime minister and foreign minister of Australia for their speeches on the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the golden jubilee of independence.

He also recalled the contribution of Australian citizens in the liberation war of Bangladesh.