BSS-40 SA envoy terms BD as development miracle

405

ZCZC

BSS-40

BD-DEVELOPMENT-MIRACLE

SA envoy terms BD as development miracle

DHAKA, Sept 4, 2019 (BSS) – A South African envoy today said Bangladesh is
now recognised worldwide as a development miracle for the socioeconomic
achievements of the present government.

“Due to the socioeconomic achievements of the present government,
Bangladesh is now recognised as a development miracle worldwide,” Ambassador
Dr Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East
of DIRCO, South Africa, said while addressing a lecture session in Dhaka.

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said,
Bangladesh is moving forward to achieve the Vision-2021 and Vision-2041, and
trying to be Sonar Bangla.

Sooklal observed that Bangladesh would be among the top 30 global economy
by 2030, while it would rank 20 in global economy by 2050. Bangladesh
Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) arranged the lecture
on ‘Commemorating the Silver Jubilee of Diplomatic Relations between South
Africa and Bangladesh’ at its auditorium in the city.

Chaired by Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, the lecture session, was
also addressed, by BIISS director general Maj. Gen. AKM Abdur Rahman. Sooklal
said Bangladesh and South Africa can work together in the identified priority
areas for mutual benefits of the two nations.

He said South Africa values its relations with Bangladesh and recognises
that there is much for the both countries to learn from each other in
achieving socioeconomic goals within set timeframes.

Lauding Bangladesh’s astounding economic growth, the South African envoy
said Bangladesh and South Africa have enormous potential to expand economic
relations.

“South Africa and Bangladesh have complementarities and comparative
advantages which can be exploited for mutual benefit, particularly in the
trade, investment, technical exchanges in information and communications
technology and skills development fields,” he said, urging Bangladeshi
investors to come forward to explore trade and business potentials of South
Africa.

South Africa took its non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security
Council in January this year, he said, adding they will promote the
maintenance of international peace and security through advocating for
peaceful settlement of disputes and inclusive dialogue.

About Rohingya crisis, Sooklal said: “We note with concern that the
humanitarian disaster unfolding on your borders with Myanmar. South Africa
commends the efforts of the Bangladesh government for assisting these
vulnerable persons and call for a peaceful and suitable resolution to this
matter.”

Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said Bangladesh and South Africa are
working not only at the bilateral level but also at the multinational level.
“We’ve been cooperating in the Commonwealth or in NAM,” he added.

He said Bangladesh has recently been strengthening its relations with South
Africa not only by visiting on a regular basis and seeing how people get
connected but also in terms of setting up missions. “This year, we set up two
missions there, and we’re looking forward setting up more missions in
Africa.”

The foreign secretary stressed working together in the global arena apart
from increasing trade and business as the world is passing through a
difficult time.

“We’re facing a fundamental transformation in our global architecture
without having any major war,” he added.

Shahidul said under the changing global and regional dynamics, there is a
need to work for solidifying the bilateral relations and find new avenues for
deepening cooperation between the two nations.

“We’re looking forward to deepen and widen our relationship with not only
South Africa, but also all the African countries,” he said.

BIISS director general AKM Abdur Rahman highlighted the longstanding and
historic relationship between Bangladesh and South Africa.

He focused on the importance of the bilateral relations between the two
countries to explore every opportunity and work together for mutual progress
and prosperity.

BSS/ASG/MRI/RY/1918 hrs