FM requests visiting Irish minister to make visa processing easier

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday invited Irish investment in Bangladesh, particularly in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and IT sectors, urging its minister for enterprise, trade and employment to make visa processing easier to enable more Bangladeshi students and IT professionals to pursue higher studies and work in Ireland.

He also thanked Ireland for hosting a few thousand Bangladeshis. 

Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a two-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.

The foreign minister thanked the Irish minister for visiting Bangladesh to further strengthen Bangladesh-Ireland bilateral relations.

He suggested further enhancement of bilateral trade in goods and services through new initiatives and sought Ireland’s support for the EU’s EBA trade preferences to Bangladesh until 2032 and GSP+ benefits beyond 2032.

Coveney met with the foreign minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

The Irish minister congratulated the foreign minister on his new appointment.

Highly praising Bangladesh’s sustained high economic growth, he suggested an exchange of visits of delegations with a special focus on bilateral trade and collaboration in the areas of technology, pharmaceuticals and energy.

He also assured Irish support in favour of Bangladesh’s appeal for an extension of EBA facilities until 2032 and GSP+ facilities beyond 2032.

Referring to the migrant-friendly policy of the Irish government, the Irish minister welcomed more Bangladeshi students and professionals to Ireland.

The Irish minister hoped for an early solution to the Rohingya crisis and added that an additional €1.5 million in humanitarian assistance will be provided to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

The two ministers shared their views on the war in Gaza and expressed deep concern over the killing of people, particularly women and children.

They agreed that a two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the region.

Earlier, the Irish minister officially opened Ireland’s first honorary consulate in Dhaka, which is seen as an “important milestone” in the relations between Bangladesh and Ireland.

In its desire to further expand the bilateral relations with Dhaka, Ireland has recently appointed Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan as its honorary consul in Bangladesh.

Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, and Masud Jamil Khan, among others, were present during the opening ceremony.

On the occasion of St Patrick’s Day, the National Day of Ireland and the official opening of the honorary consulate of Ireland in Bangladesh, Masud Jamil Khan and Kate Khan hosted an iftar-dinner program at a Dhaka hotel on Monday.

The Irish minister, Irish ambassador to India, former foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, business leaders and journalists were present at the event.

Source: UNB