Economic diplomacy top priority: Momen

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will pursue economic diplomacy that would enable the country to become a middle-income nation by 2021 and an advanced economy by 2041.

“The current government has aligned its foreign policy with the Vision 2021 and the Vision 2041,” he said at a dinner hosted in his honour by the Bangladesh high commission on Friday.

More than 50 New Delhi-based ambassadors concurrently accredited to Bangladesh, alongside senior government officials, local elites and journalists attended the reception.

Momen was in the Indian capital on a three-day visit to attend the 5th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting.

Bangladesh is now widely acclaimed and recognised as a self-reliant and progressive country and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, he said.

“It is cited today as a role model for many other developing countries for its impressive socio-economic development.” In order to strengthen bilateral trade and business relations and attract investment from abroad, Bangladesh's missions are actively involved in promotional activities on a regular basis.

New Bangladeshi diplomatic missions are being established in South America, Africa and Eastern Europe to tap in the potential of trade and business in new geographical areas, he said.

Bangladesh is also signing and ratifying bilateral trade and investment agreements with more countries, developing enhanced trade relations with the neighbours.

Momen urged the ambassadors to pursue their government for opening resident diplomatic missions in Bangladesh.