DHAKA, July 23, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh and Mediterranean island country Malta have agreed to begin ‘new era of cooperation’ to invigorate bilateral relations between the two countries especially in areas of maritime and blue economy.
The two countries reached the agreement in their first ever official bilateral talks held in Maltese capital Valetta on Monday, a press release said here today.
Bangladesh foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Malta foreign and trade promotion minister Carmelo Abela led their respective sides.
The two foreign ministers exchanged views on all issues of mutual interests, with particular emphasis on enhanced economic cooperation.
They agreed to exchange trade and investment delegations in near future to explore opportunities considering the fastest growing economic growth in both the countries.
Malta is currently enjoying more than 5 percent growth, highest in Europe, while Bangladesh is poised to grow by over 8 percent in the current FY.
Both the countries showed keen interest to exchange experience and ideas for new businesses like high level manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, FinTech, block and chain technologies.
Cooperation in the UN, Commonwealth and other international organizations on issues like climate change, migration, supporting each other’s candidatures for elections in the international bodies, was also discussed.
The Maltese foreign minister praised the leadership role played by Bangladesh government in managing the protracted Rohingya crisis and assured to extend continued support for peaceful resolution of the crisis.
After the talks, the two foreign ministers signed two MOUs on – regular holding of political consultations, and cooperation between diplomatic training academies of the two countries.
Bangladesh foreign minister, who is on a two-day official visit to Malta, also separately called on Maltese President Dr. George Vella and Prime Minister Josef Muscat.
The Maltese President saluted Bangladesh for the generosity extended to the Rohingyas.
He further attributed the stable leadership at the top as the key to Bangladesh’s stellar economic growth and success.
The Maltese Primer expressed confidence about “undoubted scope for cooperation” in the maritime industry and blue economy as well as market access facilitation role for Malta in supporting Bangladeshi companies to get registered their generic pharma products for European Union.
In the afternoon, both foreign ministers attended ‘Bangladesh Malta Business Forum’ hosted by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, in collaboration with Bangladesh Embassy in Greece.
Momen also attended a reception hosted by the Bangladesh community in Malta.
Bangladesh ambassador to Greece, with concurrent accreditation to Malta, Md Jashim Uddin and director general of West Europe and EU wing Mohammad Khorshed A Khastagir, were present in the meetings along with other high officials of Bangladesh foreign ministry.