Fakhruddin exchanges greetings with Bush

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi hold talks on the sidelines of the 62nd UN General Assembly session in New York on Tuesday.Photo: PID

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed exchanged pleasantries with US President George W Bush at a reception hosted by the latter in New York Tuesday evening.
Bush and Mrs Laura Bush hosted the reception at Starlight Roof of Waldorf Astoria Hotel in honour of heads of the state and government and heads of the delegations attending the 62nd UN General Assembly session.
Later, the chief adviser accompanied by his wife Neena Ahmed attended a state dinner hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Building in honour of heads of the state and government who are attending the 62nd UNGA session.
Fakhruddin exchanged pleasantries with a number of heads of state and government at the dinner where President Bush and the UN secretary general addressed.
MEETING WITH OIC SECY GEN
Bangladesh and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) have agreed that active measures need to be taken to project Islam as a religion of peace, harmony and tolerance.
The understanding was reached when OIC Secretary General Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called on Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed at the UN headquarters on Tuesday on the sidelines of the current UNGA session.
The OIC secretary general sought Bangladesh's active support for various initiatives that he has launched within the OIC.
Ekmeleddin also requested early ratification of a number of agreements that Bangladesh had signed with the OIC.
He hoped that Bangladesh would have a high-level participation in the forthcoming OIC summit to be held in Dakar, Senegal in March next year.
“Bangladesh is a large Muslim country and is viewed by the OIC as a very important player in the organisation as well as the international community,” the secretary general said, adding that OIC depends heavily on Bangladesh support.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumdar, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim and Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Ismat Jahan and Director General of OIC Hemayet Uddin were present.
MEETING WITH ITALIAN PM
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has shown his country's keen interest to investing more in promising sectors of Bangladesh.
During a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed on the sidelines of the UNGA Tuesday afternoon, the Italian PM highly appreciated Bangladesh's active role in the area of climate change, important for both the countries.
The chief adviser explained the investment opportunities that exist for foreign investors in Bangladesh. He said Italian companies would be most welcoming, saying that ideal conditions for investments are present in power, infrastructure and energy sectors.
Fakhruddin underscored the fact that Bangladesh is in a position to expand the export basket to Italy particularly with larger components of pharmaceuticals and leather in addition to RMG and knitwear.
He sought Italy's support for simplification of rules of origin of Bangladesh exports to the EU countries.
Fakhruddin said this was a win-win situation for both the countries, creating employment for Bangladesh and economic growth for Italy.
Prodi praised Bangladeshi workers in Italy stating that they are “peaceful, disciplined and economically active”.
The chief adviser also explained the steps taken by the caretaker government to ensure the timely holding of free, fair and credible election.
He extended a warm invitation to the Italian PM to visit Bangladesh.
Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim briefed the press on the meeting.