Bangladesh, Australia keen to make deeper cooperation

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh and Australia today expressed keen interest to work together for further deepen and widen the economic cooperation between the two nations.

This was discussed during the 4th Foreign Office Consultation between Bangladesh and Australia held at the State Guest House Padma in the capital.

Bangladesh foreign ministry’s Secretary (West) Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury and Australian ministry of foreign affairs and trade Gary Cowan led the delegation of their respective side.

During the meeting, various bilateral, regional, international, economic and overall issues related to the mutual interests of Bangladesh and Australia were discussed in detail.

Australian delegation expressed its interest in working more closely with Bangladesh in various regional and international forums while appreciating Bangladesh’s economic and social development.

From the Bangladesh side, importance was placed on dealing with climate change, sustainable solutions to the Rohingya crisis and cooperation in human resource development.

Both sides exchanged views on Indo-Pacific strategy, Indian Ocean Rim Association, security and defense cooperation, human rights, cyber security, energy cooperation and people to people contact.

The next Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) will be held in Australia in 2024.

The 3rd FOC between Bangladesh and Australia was held virtually in 2021.

The concerned officials from foreign, commerce, home, education, expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, environment, forest and climate change ministries and information and communication technology and armed forces division were present at the Bangladesh delegation side. (BSS)