BD to open seven missions to focus on economic diplomacy

The Foreign Ministry has taken a move to open seven new fully fledged diplomatic missions to implement the Awami League government's plan to focus on economic diplomacy in its foreign policy. "We are focusing on incorporating economic diplomacy in our foreign policy to keep up with the present growth of economy. In line with the policy, we are set to open some new missions in Europe, Africa and North America," State Minister for foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told the Daily Observer on Tuesday.

He said, "We want to tap the labour market across the globe and raise export in the existing and new markets. We also want to boost diplomatic      ties with Europe, Africa and North America and this will help us to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries both in politically and geographically."

According to the Foreign Ministry, around 7 million Bangladeshis now live abroad and send around $12billion a year as remittance. Currently, 72 Bangladesh missions, high commissions, consulates, deputy high commissions, assistant high commissions and visa offices are operating in 56 countries.
"We are going to open seven new fully fledged diplomatic missions in Toronto, Sydney, Chennai, Freetown, Bucharest, Kabul and Khartoum in a bid to expand export market. The missions will also strengthen diplomatic relations with the countries", a senior official of the Foreign ministry said.
The Cabinet already approved a proposal of the Foreign Ministry in this regard, he said.

According to the proposal, the Foreign Ministry has decided to set up new embassies or diplomatic missions in Canadian city of Toronto, Australian city of Sydney, Romania's capital Bucharest, Sierra Leone's capital Freetown, Indian city of Chennai, Afghan capital Kabul and Sudanese capital Khartoum.
The other 17 Bangladesh missions, already in operation and given retrospective approval, are in Athens, Milan, Mumbai, Istanbul, Lisbon, Kunming, Beirut, Mexico City, Brasilia, Port Luis, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Vienna, Abuja, Addis Ababa, Algiers and Guwahati. Four of these missions -- Bucharest, Brasilia, Warsaw and Sydney -- have been reopened.