Slovenia opens consulate office

Slovenia, a member of the European Union (EU), yesterday opened its consulate office in Dhaka to boost trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed inaugurated the office on Pragati Sarani in Dhaka in presence of Slovenia's Ambassador to India Jozef Drofenik.

Currently, Slovenia does not have a full-fledged embassy in Bangladesh.

Drofenik who is based in Delhi is also responsible for Bangladesh.

The Swedish embassy in Dhaka issues visas to the Bangladeshis who want to travel to Slovenia.

Bangladesh and Slovenia will soon start exchanging business delegations, the minister said after a meeting with Drofenik.

“We will explore the Slovenian markets as we can export a lot of goods, especially garment items,” Ahmed said.

Drofenik said the main task would be deepening the bilateral relations between the two countries. “This would be done through exchange of business delegations.”

The balance of bilateral trade between the two countries is in favour of Bangladesh. In fiscal 2014-15, Bangladesh exported goods worth $36.04 million and imported products worth $1.6 million, according to data from the commerce ministry.

In 2013-14, Bangladesh exported goods worth $29.05 million and imported products of $1 million.