Dhaka Bangladesh (CU)_ Bangladesh and Australia intend to strengthen and broaden their economic partnership as Bangladesh progress from being a least developed country status (LDC) by 2024. The two nations also aim to confirm regional stability, transparency, protection, and development in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as closer cooperation to deal common challenges and opportunities in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean regions and a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis. The agreement was reached during the fourth virtual foreign office consultation (FOC) between the two nations.
The Bangladeshi side was represented by Khondker M Talha, director general for East Asia and Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whereas the Australian side was represented by Gary Cowan, first assistant secretary of the North and South Asia Division at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The meeting was also attended by Sufiur Rahman, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in Canberra, and Jeremy Bruer, Australia’s High Commissioner in Dhaka.
During the meeting, both countries emphasized the importance of increased cooperation in agriculture, water resource management, electricity, energy, and mineral resources, trade, finance, ICT, security, and the blue economy. Bilateral trade between the two countries at present is around $2 billion. An official said, “We tried to tell them that Bangladesh has become a land of opportunities. We said trade and investment is what we need. However, this does not mean we don’t want aid at all, but that it should be aligned to national development priorities and facilitate trade and investment”.
According to a statement from the foreign ministry, Australia pledged to assist Bangladesh’s revival from COVID-19. The discussions also included a constructive exchange of ideas to find a final and lasting solution for the Rohingya crisis and climate change. Bangladesh emphasized that if the Rohingyas were not repatriated in a timely manner, it would have international repercussions. Officials have also noted common security concerns, such as cyber security, fighting transnational crime, combating terrorism, and combating human trafficking. Both countries agreed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022.
