ZCZC
BSS-53
BANGLADESH-OMAN-FOC
First ever FOC between Bangladesh-Oman held
DHAKA, June 8, 2021 (BSS) – The First ever Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and Oman was held today virtually.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led a 12-member Bangladesh delegation including representatives from the home, expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, commerce, civil aviation and tourism ministries, armed forces division and Bangladesh Ambassador to Oman while undersecretary Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy led the Omani delegation.
Masud extended his special thanks to the Oman government for taking good care of the Bangladesh community in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic, said a press release here today.
Undersecretary Alharthy appreciated the contribution of Bangladesh community to the economies of both the countries.
While appreciating the generosity of Bangladesh for hosting 1.1 million forcefully displaced Rohingya people, he expressed Oman’s unflinching support on Rohingya issue.
Both sides agreed to work closely to address the ongoing challenges that emanated from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agenda of the consultations focused on the ongoing political relations, economic cooperation, capacity building and training of Bangladeshi workforce, consular issues, and people-to-people contacts.
The two sides agreed upon new areas of cooperation which includes maritime affairs, diplomatic academies, think-tanks and start-ups, desalinization, formation of Joint Business Council and possibilities of investment in High Tech Park and EEZs of Bangladesh.
They noted the huge potential for expanding economic partnership given the strong complementarities between the two economies.
They agreed on the importance of health and food security in the coming days. Both sides exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues and enhancing the close cooperation in the multilateral fora.
BSS/PR/TA/ARS/2122 hrs