Meta interested in opening Dhaka office as Bangladesh has huge Facebook user base: Shama

Highlights:

• Bangladesh is among the largest countries for Facebook usage
• Meta wants to help expand e-commerce and online businesses
• Talks focused on reducing digital harassment

Meta -- the parent company of Facebook -- is interested in opening an office in Dhaka as Bangladesh is one of the largest countries in terms of Facebook usage, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has said.

"Meta will cooperate with us in expanding e-commerce and online businesses. They also want to work with our educational institutions," she said at a press conference at Bangladesh's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York yesterday (22 September.

The press conference was held to brief reporters on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's engagements on the first day of his New York visit, including his participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Shama said the meeting with Meta was "very productive".

"The prime minister was scheduled to attend the meeting, but he could not join due to time constraints. Discussions were held with Meta about opening an office in Dhaka, and they are interested in establishing a focal point in Dhaka," she said.

The discussions also covered Bangladesh's Cyber Security Act, she added.

She also said digital harassment was discussed, both in Bangladesh and elsewhere.

"Especially the way digital harassment is taking place -- not only in Bangladesh but in different places -- came up in the discussion. We discussed how Meta can help reduce digital harassment in the Bangladeshi social context and how it can work with the government and different government agencies. They are very interested," she said.

The state minister said the government's focus on e-commerce and technology in its first budget under the prime minister's leadership was also discussed.

"The way e-commerce and technology have been given priority in this year's budget through budget allocations was also discussed, and they appreciated it," she said.

She also said Meta was interested in working closely with Bangladesh's team in the future.

"Alongside that, they will review when and how they will open an office in Dhaka," she added.

Bangladesh seeks more time on LDC graduation, says Humaiun

Speaking at the press conference, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said a meeting was also held with Professor Muhammad Yunus, where trade, investment and defence investment were among the issues discussed.

"There was no discussion about the Makkah Pact. What was discussed here was a general discussion. It included trade, investment, defence investment and other issues in different sectors of the country.

"The discussion was very cordial, and we hope this will lead to a partnership and a strategic partnership. When we sit for further discussions, these issues will be discussed," he added.

He also said Bangladesh's LDC graduation was not discussed in detail at the meeting.

"Today's discussion did not cover the LDC issue in detail. We kept that discussion outside," he said.

He further said that Bangladesh's request for an extension was being considered against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country's 15-year authoritarian rule, a deep democratic deficit, institutional fragility and, particularly, the energy crisis.

"This context is gradually gaining acceptance regarding our request for an extension. We are receiving support, and we are positive about this support," he added.

Humaiun said UN General Assembly committees dealing with the energy crisis had already given positive indications on the issue.

"The special committees dealing with the energy crisis have already given positive guidance at the UN General Assembly," he added.