Equatorial Guinea wants to use Bangladesh's industrial development experience

Equatorial Guinea, the smallest country on the African continent, wants to use Bangladesh's experience in the development of small and medium enterprises.

Equatorial Guinea's President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has expressed his interest in the ongoing progress of Bangladesh.

The president made the statement at a ceremony to present the identity card of the newly appointed non-resident ambassador of Bangladesh, Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, in the capital Malabo on Thursday (April 7) afternoon.

Ambassador Sarwar Mahmood responded spontaneously to the president's interest and said Bangladesh is ready to be one of the partners in the development of Equatorial Guinea to strengthen bilateral relations.

He added that Equatorial Guinea has steadily made tremendous progress in the socio-economic field over the last two decades and is emerging as one of the most economic powers on the African continent. Bangladesh can be an important partner for skilled and working manpower in various sectors of the emerging economy in this country.

Pledging to further expand the relations between the two countries by identifying new areas of potential, the ambassador also requested to import Bangladesh's medicines, leather products, frozen fisheries, electric products used for household purposes.

Noting that about 200 Bangladeshis are working in various professions in Equatorial Guinea, Sarwar Mahmood proposed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries to hire more skilled workers legally from Bangladesh.

The president of Equatorial Guinea showed great interest in these issues and assured of a quick realistic initiative and all-round cooperation.

He also praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's humanitarian measures and assured all possible support for the voluntary safe and speedy repatriation of the 1.1 lakh forcibly displaced Rohingyas who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.

In addition, the president and the ambassador expressed strong intent on bilateral cooperation on issues such as the textile sector, trade, tourism and communication between the citizens of the two countries.

Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood is currently serving as Bangladesh's ambassador to three countries - Spain, Andorra and Equatorial Guinea.