Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday called for more economic collaboration between Bangladesh and India to build a prosperous and economically vibrant region.
He said the businesspersons and the private investors of the two countries should look beyond the border and work as partners in this regard.
Momen made the remarks while delivering his keynote address at a seminar entitled “Economic Diplomacy” in New Delhi, organised by Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
The foreign minister urged the Indian businesspersons to invest in the two specialised economic zones of Bangladesh — Mongla and Mirsarai — dedicated to Indian investors.
He expressed satisfaction as Bangladesh and India have made remarkable progress in bilateral cooperation during the last decade and emphasised on complementing each other’s necessities and priorities for overall development of the people of both the countries.
Momen noted that the bilateral trade has been growing steadily over the years and crossed the landmark of $16 billion last year despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also said the proposed CEPA (comprehensive economic partnership agreement) will usher in a win-win situation in terms of possible gains in the realms of trade and commerce.
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The foreign minister said the current Bangladesh government based on development aspirations especially emphasises economic diplomacy in order to achieve the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’.
Momen stressed economic diplomacy as the most significant element of diplomacy in the face of the ongoing global economic unrest and recent political developments in Europe.
He said that Bangladesh, once known to be a basket case, after 50 years of its independence, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, defying all odds, is currently the 41st largest economy in the world set to be the 25th largest by 2035.
He said Bangladesh has proven its capacity to undertake mega projects like Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the country's longest bridge by its own fund which has been completed and is scheduled to be inaugurated by the prime minister on June 25.
The high commissioners of Bangladesh and India and CII president also spoke at the seminar.
Momen arrived in New Delhi Saturday afternoon to attend the seventh JCC (Joint Consultation Commission) meeting, co-chaired by the two foreign ministers of Bangladesh and India scheduled to be held on Sunday.
Momen is expected to interact with the concurrently accredited ambassadors to Bangladesh with residents in New Delhi and call on important dignitaries of the Indian government during the visit.
