Bangladesh, Ethiopia vow to boost bilateral cooperation

Bangladesh and Ethiopia yesterday (21 April) stressed the need to strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on trade, investment and sectoral cooperation, as Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman met Ethiopian President Taye Atskeselassie Made.

The foreign minister met the president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at his office in Addis Ababa, with Adviser to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir also present.

The meeting discussed avenues to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, education, agriculture and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

At the outset, the Ethiopian president congratulated the new government and the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the February elections and conveyed greetings to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his landslide victory.

He also appreciated Bangladesh's continued contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations, particularly in Africa.

The foreign minister emphasised the importance of expanding economic engagement and identified potential areas of cooperation, including ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals and jute products.

He requested the Ethiopian side to consider opening its embassy in Dhaka to further strengthen diplomatic and economic relations.

The president welcomed Bangladeshi investment in Ethiopia, especially in the garments and pharmaceutical sectors, and stressed the need for closer interaction between the business communities of the two countries to facilitate trade and investment.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over their cooperation in various international forums, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Group of 77 and South-South Cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration in multilateral platforms.

During the meeting, the foreign minister invited the Ethiopian president to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.