By Siam Sarower Jamil,
Dhaka, Aug 7: Bangladesh is going to open seven new fully fledged diplomatic missions in Toronto, Sydney, Chennai, Freetown, Bucharest, Kabul and Khartoum in a bid to expand its export market.
The missions will also aim to strengthen diplomatic relations with the countries, said officials.
A proposal of the Foreign Ministry on the matter will be placed at the weekly cabinet meeting today with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
According to the proposal, the Foreign Ministry has decided to set up new embassies or diplomatic missions in Canadian city of Toronto, Australian city of Sydney, Romania’s capital Bucharest, Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, Indian city of Chennai, Afghan capital Kabul and Sudanese capital Khartoum.
A senior Foreign Ministry official said the opening of new missions is part of the Awami League government’s plan to prioritise economic diplomacy in its foreign policy.
Upholding the government’s decisions, the official said it became necessary for Bangladesh to open more embassies to serve the growing number of expatriate Bangladeshis, raise exports and boost diplomatic ties with Europe, Africa and North America.
As per the Foreign Ministry estimates, about 7 million Bangladeshis now live abroad and send home around $12bn a year as remittance.
Currently, 72 Bangladeshi missions, high commissions, consulates, deputy high commissions, assistant high commissions and visa offices are operating in 56 countries.