Foreign minister begins Europe tour with focus on economic diplomacy
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday began his visit to a number of European countries as Bangladesh is giving much importance to boosting its export to the European market with diversification of products as part of its economic diplomacy.
The minister, who left Dhaka for Berlin on Wednesday morning, will also visit France, Italy and Greece, reports news agency UNB.
"We want to boost export and diversity it," he said adding that he will also raise the Rohingya issue everywhere in his meetings in the European countries.
Momen will visit Germany until 19 October where he will also have a meeting with his German counterpart, a senior official said.
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Rubana Huq is also visiting Berlin.
"Germany happens to be the single biggest importer. So it’s important," she told UNB before her departure on Wednesday morning.
Bangladesh also seeks German and French companies to invest in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and High-tech Parks, being developed by the government.
Bangladesh is encouraging the investors to take advantage of Bangladesh’s strategic location, demographic dividend, special incentive package for foreign direct investment (FDI) and a huge domestic market, according to the officials.
From Berlin, the foreign minister will visit Paris, France from 20 to 22 October, and attend an Economic Forum apart from his other engagements.
The Economic Forum will be organised by the French Senate where representatives of the BEZA and BIDA are also expected to attend.
The foreign minister will also visit Rome, Italy on 27 October and Athens, Greece on 28 and 29 October, an official at the foreign affairs ministry told UNB.
Meanwhile, Momen will join the 18th NAM ministerial meeting on 23 and 24 October in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The NAM Summit, to be attended by prime minister Sheikh Hasina, will be held on 25 and 26 October.
The foreign minister will return home on 30 October.