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Australia to continue support to Bangladesh’s dev efforts
DHAKA, Jan 7, 2020 (BSS) – Outgoing Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Julia Niblett today said her country will continue support to Bangladesh’s development efforts.
“Bangladesh has attained tremendous socioeconomic uplift in the last one decade and we’ll keep up our assistance in its (Bangladesh) development efforts,” she said.
The Australian high commissioner made the remarks when she paid the farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganabhaban residence here this evening.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
Julia Niblett stressed the need for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in different fields particularly energy and education.
The Australian high commissioner highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving shelter to over 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
She apprised the prime minister of the Australian bushfire situation.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina highlighted her government’s various disaster management programmes.
“We’re implementing massive afforestation programmes in the country to combat adverse impacts of the climate change,” she said.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus was present on the occasion.
Later, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh AWJ Crisanthe De Silva paid the farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban, the press secretary said.
Pointing out Bangladesh’s excellent relations with Sri Lanka, the premier said Dhaka always attaches importance to its relations with neighbours.
While talking about the issue of terrorism, the prime minister reiterated her government’s “zero tolerance policy” against the menace.
“We’ll never allow anybody to use our land for conducting terrorist acts in other countries,” she said.
Referring to the expertise of Sri Lanka in fishing, the prime minister put emphasis on joint collaboration in this field.
The Sri Lankan envoy recalled his fond memories in Bangladesh and thanked the premier for extending heartfelt cooperation to him during his stay here.
PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present on the occasion.
BSS/SH/KU/2118 HRS