ZCZC
BSS-53
JS-BODY-FOREIGN
JS body for formulating plans on economic diplomacy amid COVID-19
DHAKA, Oct 21, 2020 (BSS) – Parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs today recommended formulating a fresh plan to strengthen economic diplomacy considering revolving global consequences caused by the pandemic for keeping the pace of country’s economy steady.
The parliamentary body suggested that Bangladesh missions aboard should identify the demands of their respective host countries and make a roadmap on basis of those.
The 16th meeting of 11th parliament was held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with chairman of the committee Muhammad Faruk Khan in the chair, said a press release.
Committee members – foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, state minister for foreign affair Md Shahriar Alam, Nurul Islam Nahid, Golam Faruk Khandakar Prince, Md Abdul Majid Khan and Md Habibe Millat were present.
The members discussed about issues related to the government’s various efforts to send back the Bangladeshi expatriate workers, who have been stuck here due to COVID-19 pandemic, to their respective host countries.
The committee was informed that so far 2,560 stranded Bangladeshi expatriates have been able to go back to their previous workplaces in Italy, the UK, Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Oman through chartered flights facilitated by the Bangladesh government.
The foreign ministry has been able to facilitate the return of expats by convincing their host countries to extend their expired visas and work permits through diplomatic engagement.
During the meeting, the newly appointed Bangladesh ambassadors to Canada and Indonesia presented their three-year work plans to the meeting.
The committee suggested the new Bangladesh envoy to Indonesia Air Vice Marshal Mostafizur Rahman for putting his efforts to engage Jakarta more in resolving the ongoing Rohingya issue.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and senior officials of the foreign ministry and JS secretariat were present.
BSS/TA/RY/20:35hrs