Poland offers coal, mineral resources extraction technology

Poland has offered Bangladesh their state-of-the-art technology for extraction of mineral resources, including coal, in Bangladesh.

The offer was conveyed to State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam while he was holding bilateral talks with Joanna Wronecka -- Poland's deputy minister for development cooperation, Africa, Middle-East, Asia and Pacific, economic diplomacy and human rights -- at the foreign ministry of Poland in Warsaw on Thursday.

According to a foreign ministry press release issued yesterday, Joanna said the balance of trade between the two countries is heavily in favour of Bangladesh and Poland would like to reduce trade imbalance by offering transfer of their state-of-the-art technology for extracting coal and other mineral resources in Bangladesh.

Shahriar termed Bangladesh a rising geostrategic economic and logistics hub where many European countries are showing keen interest to invest and to do business.

Pointing out the demographic dividend, competitive and skilled labour force and congenial business environment, he said Bangladesh could be a lucrative destination for Polish businesses in many priority areas such as shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, leather, footwear and agro-processing.

The Bangladesh state minister expressed gratitude for the significant contributions and support of Poland during the country's War of Liberation in 1971 and put the emphasis on enhanced bilateral cooperation between the two time-tested friendly countries.

He further emphasised opening of a resident Polish mission in Dhaka at the soonest for tapping the opportunities of deepening bilateral relations on economic, trade and investment, education, agriculture, knowledge and innovation.

After Shahriar raised the issue of difficulties of Bangladeshi students in attaining visas for studying at Polish universities, the Polish deputy minister assured him that her country would take necessary steps to resolve the matter.

Seeking Bangladesh's support for Polish candidatures in different international bodies, Joanna also emphasised regular dialogues between political leaders and senior officials of the two countries to further strengthen bilateral ties.