President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday (December 31) sought cooperation of the Philippines government to bring back the entire amount of stolen reserves of Bangladesh Bank to the country.
"Some $81.00 million was scammed from Bangladesh Bank through Rizal Commercial Bank Corporation (RCBC) in 2016 and around $15.00 million has been recovered so far . . . Intervention of the Philippine Government to recover the rest of $66.00 million is needed," he said, expressing hope that the Philippine government would cooperate with Bangladesh to this end, reports BSS.
The Head of the State told this as Nina Padilla Cainglet, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Philippines to Bangladesh, on Tuesday presented her credentials to him.
Later, President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed newsmen.
Welcoming the new ambassador, the President said Bangladesh attaches great importance to her relations with Philippines, which was among the one of the first South-East Asian countries who recognized the war-torn Bangladesh in February 1972.
The President put emphasis on exploring the untapped bilateral trade potentials and also increasing immediate cooperation in pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, light engineering, jute and jute-made products etc.
There is lot of potentials to increase trade between the two countries and Bangladesh can export Readymade Garment (RMG), frozen foods, cables, rice and others agricultural products, handicrafts and medium size ocean-going vessels for inter-island connectivity of the Philippines and import skill and services, technology in agricultures and manufactured products.
He said Bangladesh and the Philippines would work together to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the solid foundation of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Drawing the attention of the Philippines' to the plights of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals stranded in Bangladesh for the last five years and stressed the need for their expedited repatriation to the homeland.
The President also invited the Philippines companies to invest in Bangladesh, particularly in the 100 Economic Zones.
The Head of the State also requested the ambassador to provide support to Bangladesh's application for the 'ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.'
During the meeting, the new ambassador sought the President's full cooperation in fulfilling his assignment in Dhaka.
The envoy said she would work to increase trade and investment along with development of bilateral ties between the two-state in the coming days.
Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, Military Secretary Major General Mohammad Adil Chowdhury and Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam were present there.
Earlier, on her arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the envoy ceremonial 'guards of honour'.
