Dhaka to open 3 new missions

Dhaka has completed all formalities to open three new full-fledged diplomatic missions in Copenhagen, Vienna and Warsaw to expand its export to European market. 

All of them are expected to begin diplomatic activities within the next couple of months, foreign ministry officials said.  

“The opening of new missions is part of the Awami League government's plan to prioritise economic diplomacy in its foreign policy,” said a senior foreign ministry official.

Meanwhile, the government has already appointed Abu Zafar, now serving as director general (East Asia and Pacific wings) at the foreign ministry, as Bangladesh ambassador to Austria. Sources at the Prime Minister's Office said the government was considering appointing  Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman, director general (America and Europe wings) of the foreign ministry, and Muhammad A Muhith, deputy chief of mission at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, as ambassadors to Poland and Denmark.

The government has also decided to set up new embassies to Afghanistan, Sudan and Sierra Leone and upgrade the Agartala visa office in the Indian state of Tripura to Deputy High Commission soon.

Last year, five embassies were opened in Mexico, Brazil, Lebanon, Mauritius and Portugal, and a deputy high commission in Mumbai, India.

With the opening of three more missions, the number of missions will come to 71 in 55 countries, official sources said.

Asked about the justification for opening new missions, a high official at the ministry told The Daily Star that it became urgent for Bangladesh to open more diplomatic missions to serve the growing number of expatriate Bangladeshis, increase export and trade and establish political link with countries around the globe.

According to an official             estimate, about seven million Bangladeshis are now living abroad and remit around $15 billion a         year.

Replying to a question, the official said there was a common perception that government spends a huge amount of money to run the foreign missions. But a number of missions, including those in the Middle Eastern countries, Malaysia, USA, UK, Italy and Singapore, earn a good amount of revenue and send foreign currencies to Bangladesh by providing consular services to people.