Bangladesh, Jordan look to bolster ties as Amman sends foreign secretary on first-ever visit

Bangladesh and Jordan have discussed a range of issues to strengthen their relations in official talks.

The foreign ministry said Bangladesh on Friday urged Jordan to consider a diplomatic mission in Dhaka, and asked for a piece of land for its own embassy in capital Amman.

The talks took place on the first day of the first-ever official visit of Jordanian Foreign Secretary Mohammad Tayseer Bani Yaseen.

Both sides stressed the need to consolidate bilateral mechanism through regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs).

They emphasised the need to work on the bilateral instruments in the fields of air services, trade and investment.

Secretary (Bilateral and Consular Affairs) of the foreign ministry Mizanur Rahman led the Bangladesh side in the meeting.

Officials from the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Ministry of Commerce were also present.

Bangladesh lauded the progress and prosperity of modern Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah II.

Yaseen praised Bangladesh’s steady economic growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Both sides agreed to exchange business delegation for capitalising on the full trade and investment potentials in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh hoped Jordan will consider recruiting more skilled and semi-skilled workers including professors, teachers, doctors, nurses, and IT professionals.

Both sides discussed ways to deepen connectivity beginning with people-to-people contacts, expanding tourism cooperation through direct air links and visa simplification including on-arrival visa arrangement for diplomats and government officials.

They also agreed to deepen the cooperation in the areas of agriculture by activating the Joint Working Group under the 2011 MoU on agricultural cooperation.

Ways to deepen cooperation in defence, education, culture, and science and technology were also discussed during the talks.

Jordanian Foreign Secretary Yaseen lauded the roles of Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping, countering terrorism and violent extremism as well as its roles and positions on international issues of contentions.

He called on acting foreign secretary Khurshed Alam and attended a dinner.

The delegation would also call on the army chief and visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi on Saturday.

They would conclude the visit with a meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam later in the day.