East African country Madagascar has expressed interest to work with Bangladesh on the blue economy and the information and communications technology sector.
Both sides discussed ways of broader cooperation after Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar Ratsimandao Tahirimiakadaza met Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Tuesday, a press release said.
The Madagascar permanent secretary of foreign affairs is visiting the capital for participating in the 21st Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers and related meetings.
Permanent Secretary Tahirimiakadaza proposed that both countries may establish cooperation in the blue economy, including cooperation between maritime universities as well as that in extraction of marine nutrients.
Expressing the Madagascar government’s interest to establish cooperation in the IT and ICT sector of Bangladesh, he suggested establishing government-to-government cooperation in the areas.
During the meeting, Momen said Bangladesh has expertise in the IT and ICT sector and the government is offering various types of digital services to the people.
Alongside the suggestion of establishing cooperation in the sector, the foreign minister urged the East African country to import apparel and pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh, read the release.
Tahirimiakadaza said Madagascar and Bangladesh are working together at international platforms on matters of mutual interest.
He commended the role of Bangladesh at IORA in protecting the interest of the developing countries.
Recognising the importance of cooperation in the agriculture sector, both the countries agreed to establish cooperation in food and agriculture areas, including in seed technology and agricultural production.
Momen suggested that a fact-finding mission may go to Madagascar to discuss the possibilities of contract farming opportunities there.
He also sought continued support of Madagascar on the Rohingya repatriation issue while the permanent secretary gave him assurance.
The foreign minister also sought support of the Madagascar government in favour of the candidature of Bangladesh at the forthcoming IMO (International Maritime Organization) election as well as at Human Rights Council.
