Bangladesh, Austria identify common fields of cooperation

Bangladesh and Austria yesterday identified power and energy, health, education, tourism, human resource development and waste management as common fields of cooperation, and where Austria had enough expertise.
The recognition came at a bilateral meeting Foreign Minister Dipu Moni was holding with her Austrian counterpart Michael Spindelegger in Vienna. Dipu Moni is attending a two-day 5th Global Forum on the UN Alliance of Civilization beginning yesterday.
In response to Dipu Moni's request for Austrian investment in Bangladesh, Spindelegger informed that the trade figure between the two countries, € 350 million in 2012, could get higher.
Spindelegger, also Austria's vice chancellor and federal minister for European and International Affairs, sought Bangladesh's cooperation in the disarmament issue.
Dipu Moni briefed the Austrian minister about Bangladesh's socio-economic development during the past few years and growing relations with neighbouring countries.
She requested for training Bangladeshi diplomats in Austria and providing Bangladeshi students scholarships for higher education in Austrian universities.
Bangladesh is going to open a new resident mission in Vienna soon which will help strengthen existing bilateral relations, she said.
Earlier, Dipu Moni met the president of the Federal Economic Chamber of Austria and members of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Austrian Parliament.
The president highly appreciated Bangladesh's constant economic growth for over a decade.
The committee members were very keen to know about Bangladesh and Dipu Moni briefed them about the country's socio-economic and political issues.
She also informed them about various positive steps the government took for the safety and security of workers in ready-made garment sector.
She requested them to share the information with their colleagues in the European parliament to build a positive image of Bangladesh.
In the evening, Dipu Moni attended a reception hosted by the local Bangladesh community.