Dhaka, Manila to work on defense
and security cooperation
Bangladesh and the Philippines agreed to work together on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and protection of the marine environment. The two countries also discussed cultural cooperation, people-to-people contact, cooperation on defense and security issues, maritime security, healthcare, attaining the SDGs and supporting each other’s candidature in multilateral institutions.
The issues were discussed at the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and the Philippines held in the city on December 3. Secretary (Asia and Pacific) Masud Bin Momen led Bangladesh side while Assistant Secretary (Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs) Meynardo LB. Montealegre led the Philippines team at the meeting.
The two sides at the FOC exchanged counter drafts to sign MoUs on agriculture cooperation, nursing capacity building and employment, migrant workers and cooperation between the Presidential Communication Operations Office of the Philippines and its Bangladesh counterpart. The two sides also exchanged an MoU previously signed between Chattogram and Cebu Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
Expressing satisfaction at the close bilateral relations between the two countries, the two sides decided to exchange VVIP-level visits in the near future. At the FOC, Bangladesh side sought Philippines’ support on the Rohingya repatriation issue.
The Bangladesh side stressed that both the Philippines and Myanmar are fellow ASEAN members whose core objective is to attain regional security and stability.
In fulfillment of this core ASEAN objective, Bangladesh side said, Myanmar needs to create a congenial environment in the Northern Rakhine State so that the forcibly displaced Rohingyas feel confident to return home.
The Filipino side was appreciative of Bangladesh for its humanitarian gesture to the displaced people from Myanmar and assured Bangladesh of conveying its concerns to their capital and the ASEAN process.
Bangkok wants stronger economic
partnership with Dhaka
Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh Arunrung Phothong Humphreys has said Thailand wants stronger and closer relationship with Bangladesh to achieve the ultimate goal of an enhanced economic partnership.
“I’ll do my utmost to ensure that the relations between Thailand and Bangladesh grow even stronger and closer,” said the Ambassador.
Ambassador Phothong came up with the remarks while addressing a reception on marking the Thai National Day on December 5.
The bilateral trade volume stands at US$ 1.2 billion and there are about 23 Thai companies currently investing in Bangladesh with an accumulated value of US$ 1.5 billion, she said adding that with a Thai-Bangladesh concerted effort, the two countries can do more and achieve more.
Highlighting regional cooperation, she said there has seen significant progress in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement which is to be signed in 2020, as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
Ambassador Phothong said the situation in Rakhine State was also addressed with a view to promoting an enhanced and visible ASEAN role in supporting the repatriation process as well as addressing the grave humanitarian situation and promoting sustainable development in Rakhine State.
The Thai Ambassador said there is an organic aspect of the partnership given their proximity and commonality.
“Although this partnership arises naturally from geopolitical circumstances, it must nevertheless be actively nurtured and elevated,” she said.
Canada to remain engaged with Bangladesh amid evolving world order
The Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine said there are many areas where Canada will continue to “energetically” work with Bangladesh — bilaterally, regionally and internationally — as Bangladesh seeks a balanced role from Canada in the evolving world order.
He identified some of the challenges but said that will not deter Canada from approaching the decade ahead with confidence on everything that matters for keeping two countries peaceful and prosperous.
High Commissioner Préfontaine came up with these words while addressing a symposium titled “Bangladesh-Canada Relations: Prognosis for Partnership” held in the city on December 7.
The Canadian High Commissioner said he expects a continued growth in commercial relationship. “Bangladesh’s economic growth and the need to industrialize, build infrastructure and create jobs make for a compelling case and Canada’s business community has started paying attention,” he said.
The High Commissioner said the commercial relations could become a dominant aspect of relationship, gradually displacing development cooperation as Canada’s main activity in Bangladesh.
He said Canadian businesses do have concerns regarding reports of human rights violations, corruption, shrinking space for civil society, lack of freedom of expression. “This is something we’re raising with government authorities and with Chambers of Commerce,” said the High Commissioner.
On prevention of terrorism, the Canadian High Commissioner said the security of Canada is linked to that of other states and everyone knows, preventing and responding to terrorism or transnational crime requires resources, expertise and partners.
He said Canada will continue to engage constructively with regional, bilateral and multilateral partners in driving positive action on global issues such as strengthening global peace and security operations.
China rejects US views on BRI
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has sharply reacted to the US views regarding Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) maintaining that BRI is “open, inclusive and beneficial” to all.
“More than anything else, such malicious slander and irresponsible claim (by US) are certainly not the least helpful for any kind of peace and development in this region,” he mentioned in an article shared with the media on December 10. The Chinese envoy referred to comments made by US Assistant Secretary of Defense Randall G Schriver during his recent visit to Bangladesh.
Ambassador Jiming said Schriver claimed that the BRI did not support free and open regional development nor ensure the protection of nations’ sovereignty and international law
“The claim is rather groundless given where China is standing today in issues concerning global interest and international governance, in stark contrast with how the US has behaved in the past few years,” he added.
The Chinese envoy said proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the BRI has been a trending word that frequents news headlines all around the globe, even more so in Bangladesh as it is one of the first South Asian countries to join the initiative.
“We highly appreciate that Bangladesh along with many other countries have showed great support towards BRI for their good faith in China and the benefits the initiative has already delivered to their people,” he said.
“China always stands by its words to welcome all countries to join the BRI in a common effort to make our world a better place,” said the Chinese envoy.
Dhaka seeks Tokyo’s support
for early Rohingya repatriation
Dhaka has sought Tokyo’s support for the early repatriation of Rohingyas, currently living in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps, to their place of origin in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen discussed the issue when Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito met him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 11.
The Japanese Ambassador reaffirmed the commitment of Japanese humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas in Bangladesh and continued support for the safe and voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and their resettlement.
Dr Momen thanked the Japanese government through the newly-appointed Ambassador for concluding MoC (Memorandum of Cooperation) on recruiting ‘Specified Skilled Workers’ by Japan from Bangladesh.
He also mentioned that Bangladesh is driving for the digital economy by high-tech manufacturing Hi-Tech Parks in different places of Bangladesh which are now ready for investment with all necessary off-site infrastructures. In this regard, he sought Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s IT sector.
Bangladesh seeks duty- and quota-free
facilities to the Eurasian market
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen sought duty- and quota-free facilities to the Eurasian market.
The Foreign Minister discussed the issue with Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Andrei Dapkunas at his office here on December 11. He also focused on the Rohingya situation and other issues.
During the meeting with Belarus Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr Momen discussed various issues of mutual interests ranging from trade and economic cooperation and agreed to strengthen the already existing friendly ties.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the people of Belarus for their support during the War of Liberation in 1971 and appreciated the fact that the relations between the two countries were deepening gradually through a number of initiatives taken by the two governments.
He underscored the need for exchange of more trade and investment delegations, and invited Belarusian businessmen and entrepreneurs to invest in Export Processing Zones (EPZs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Hi-Tech Parks (HTP) in Bangladesh.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen urged his government to play a special role in favor of Bangladesh to get duty- and quota-free facilities to the Eurasian market.
Dhaka thinks any deviation from
secular position may weaken India
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen ruled out any repression on minorities in Bangladesh saying any deviation from India’s historic position as a tolerant and secular nation might weaken India.
“In our country, religious harmony is at a very high level. No one from other religions is oppressed here. We’ve respect for all religions. We see those (minorities) in equal eyes and as the citizens of Bangladesh,” he said.
On December 11, the Foreign Minister came up with the remarks while talking to media in response to the statement made by the Indian Home Minister at the Lok Sabha on Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB).
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah insisted that the only intention of bringing the bill was to provide refuge to the “persecuted minorities” of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister said the government in Bangladesh does not judge anybody based on his or her religion but sees as citizen of Bangladesh.
“It’s not true that minorities are being tortured here. Whoever gave them the information, it’s not correct,” he said adding that relations between Bangladesh and India are going through a golden chapter now.
Momen said Bangladesh ensures that followers of all faiths enjoy same rights in every area, including the job sector.
“Many important decisions of our country are taken by persons belonging to different religions. We never judge anybody by their religion, we treat all as Bangladesh citizens,” he said.
Bangladesh protests attack on
AHC convoy in Guwahati
In the backdrop of violence in India’s state of Assam spilling over to Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati, Bangladesh has protested an attack on the convoy of the Assistant High Commissioner and vandalization of signposts, and requested extra security for its Mission.
Acting Foreign Secretary Kamrul Ahsan held a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 12, and requested the protection of personnel and property of the Mission by the host government.
Riva Ganguly assured that the authorities concerned of the Indian government are being immediately alerted to enhance security of the chancery and residential premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati.
It has come to the attention of the ministry that some people from the processions and agitations taking place on December 12 in Guwahati torn down two signposts of the Mission approximately 30 yards away from the chancery premise.
On December 11, the security vehicle escorting the Assistant High Commissioner from the airport to the city was attacked by mobs protesting adoption of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 by the Indian Parliament.
The appropriate Indian authorities have already taken enhanced security measures to protect the Assistant High Commission premises, its personnel and members of their families, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
The government of Bangladesh believes that the attack on the convoy of the Assistant High Commissioner and vandalization of the signposts is a one-off incident and it will not affect the excellent bilateral relations that Bangladesh and India enjoy.
ASEM calls for durable
solution to Rohingya crisis
Foreign Ministers of ASEM member countries have called for a “durable solution” to the Rohingya crisis creating the conditions conducive for “safe, dignified, sustainable and voluntary” return of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State.
They also underlined the importance of ensuring accountability in this regard, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam led the Bangladesh delegation at the 14th Foreign Minister’s Meeting of Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM FMM14) held in Madrid, Spain on December 16.
Bangladesh has emphasized on the need of decisive global collective actions to ensure voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
Bangladesh also called upon the international community to address the issue of climate change on immediate basis.
Shahriar flagged the humanitarian position taken by Bangladesh in providing shelter to the Rohingyas who have fled from their own country after state persecution.
He insisted that the international community needs to put pressure on Myanmar for ensuring accountability and justice for the atrocities committed against the Rohingyas in Myanmar, and for creating a conducive environment in Myanmar for safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas.
Turkey keen to invest in
energy sector: Envoy
Outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Devrim said Turkey is interested to invest in the energy sector of Bangladesh. “Turkish investment is coming to Bangladesh. Turkish entrepreneurs are interested to invest in the energy sector here,” he said when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban in the city on December 24.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. The outgoing Turkish Ambassador said they are ready to share technologies with brotherly countries like Bangladesh.
He highly praised the economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “This credit goes to you (PM). It (economic development) is your success. I’ve witnessed how fast Bangladesh progressed during my tenure,” the envoy was quoted as saying.
Noting that the interaction between Bangladesh and Turkey has enhanced significantly, the envoy expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for extending all sorts of cooperation to him in discharging his duty in Dhaka. “I’m going back with good memories from Bangladesh,” Devrim Ozturk said.
He informed the Prime Minister that work on the chancery building on the land allotted by Bangladesh for Turkey Embassy here has almost completed. “The newly-constructed chancery building will formally be opened next month,” he said.
Dhaka, Beijing discuss ways for
early repatriation of Rohingyas
Bangladesh and China discussed ways for the “early repatriation” of Rohingyas, currently taking shelter in Cox’s Bazar district, to their place of origin in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
On December 26, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed the Rohingya crisis apart from other issues of mutual interests.
“Ambassador Li met Foreign Minister Dr Momen for further discussions on early repatriation of the displaced people (Rohingyas) and for an early date of return to their homeland,” Minister (Counselor) and Deputy Head of Mission, Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Yan Hualong told media after the meeting.
Both sides discussed humanitarian cooperation between Bangladesh and China; and early return of Rohingyas to their homeland. Bangladesh, China and Myanmar are in discussion to encourage the commencement of the Rohingya repatriation process.
One is the establishment of a tripartite joint working mechanism, directly led by the Ambassadors of China and Myanmar to Bangladesh and DG of Myanmar Wing of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
The tripartite joint working mechanism is aimed at delving into technical and operational difficulties in the repatriation process through “candid and frequent” discussions, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.
It said a common ground has been successfully identified during the first meeting of the joint working mechanism.
Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas and most of them entered Cox’s Bazar since August 25, 2017 amid military crackdown on Rohingyas in Rakhine State.
Not a single Rohingya was repatriated over the last two years due to Myanmar’s failure to build confidence among Rohingyas and lack of a conducive environment in Rakhine State.
Bangladesh has so far handed over names of over 1 lakh Rohingyas to Myanmar authorities for verification and subsequently is expediting their repatriation efforts but Myanmar is yet to take back its nationals from Bangladesh, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dhaka, Hanoi to work to double
bilateral trade volume by 2021
Bangladesh and Vietnam want to work closely to enhance the bilateral trade volume from around $1 billion to $2 billion by 2021.
The two countries held the second meeting of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) in Hanoi on December 26-27, and discussed ways to double the bilateral trade volume.
Dhaka and Hanoi discussed trade and investment issues and identified 11 priority areas including agricultural trade and pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh to Vietnam.
Vietnamese investment in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zones, ICT sector cooperation, bilateral cooperation in textile and garments sector, trade in Halal products, trade in software services, direct air link, promotion of trade in jute and jute goods, banking sector cooperation and tourism sector cooperation (including Buddhist tourism) were also discussed.
Commerce Secretary Dr Md Jafar Uddin and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Cao Quoc Hung led their respective sides at the JTC meeting. Bangladesh Ambassador to Vietnam Samina Naz and Director General (South East Asia), MOFA MJH Jabed attended the meeting as members of Bangladesh delegation.
Bangladesh requested Vietnam to send delegations to visit Bangladesh and gain firsthand experience about the pharmaceutical industry, Hi-tech parks and Special Economic Zones in Bangladesh. The Vietnamese side responded affirmatively to Bangladesh’s request, according to Bangladesh Embassy in Hanoi.
Vietnam suggested that in case of future requirement, Bangladesh may import quality rice from Vietnam in fulfillment of the existing MoU on rice import from Vietnam.
Both sides recognized the high potential of tourism sector to flourish and in that respect viewed that direct air link between the two countries can hugely contribute.
It was agreed that private sector airlines operators between the two countries would be encouraged to assess the market and introduce flights.
Bangladesh requested Vietnam to ease the visa process for Bangladeshi tourists especially businesspersons. To ease business transaction, both sides agreed to encourage commercial banks to open branches in each other’s capital. The two sides agreed to constitute a Joint Business Council comprising apex business bodies of both countries.
India issued record 15 lakh visas
for Bangladeshi in 2019
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das expressed satisfaction over the growing people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and India, mentioning that record 15 lakh visas were issued to Bangladesh citizens in 2019.
“We’re seeing the results. Even a few years back, we used to issue 6.5 lakh to 7 lakh visas yearly. This year, we issued 15 lakh visas,” she told media after handing over passports with Indian visas to three freedom fighters at the integrated state-of-the-art Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in the city on December 31.
High Commissioner Riva Ganguly handed over the landmark visa (Visa no: 15,00,000 & above) to three freedom fighters Md. Shafiqul Islam, Noor Mohammed Mallik and Md. Atiar Rehman who have been given five-year multiple entry visas.
Asked whether Indian will get benefited economically with the growing number of Bangladesh citizens visiting India, Riva Ganguly responded positively and said India will certainly be benefitted economically as many go there for shopping and on business purposes.
The High Commissioner highlighted the importance of people-to-people relations between the two friendly countries and expressed satisfaction for hassle-free visa issuance through growing number of visa application centers.
“People-to-people diplomacy is very important in any two countries’ relations. We welcome the increased number of visits by people,” she said.
The High Commissioner said they are very happy that nobody needs to say anything about visa complexities these days as visa is being issued very smoothly.
She said India has opened 15 Indian Visa Application Centers in Bangladesh with further liberalization of visa process.
“We’ll want a large number of people visit to India with increased communication between people,” said the High Commissioner.