Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed Bangladesh Envoys in the Middle East to vigorously pursue economic diplomacy by putting the country’s economic interest at the core of their professional engagements by exploring new markets for our export goods and thus enhancing the trade and by securing the manpower market for our workers; thus maintaining smooth remittance flow to our economy. The directives came as she reiterated the priorities of her government while addressing a congregation of 10 (ten) Heads of Bangladesh diplomatic missions in the West Asia at a local hotel in Doha last evening. In a region that has traditionally been our largest labour destination and source of valuable remittance, this hosting of the conference marks the government priority focus in line with materializing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Smart Bangladesh by 2041.

Chaired by Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen and moderated by the Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, the conference was attended by the Bangladesh Ambassadors to Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and United Arab emirates. Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, Hon’ble Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Principle Secretary Mr. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secrejtary ( Finance) Ms Fatima Yasmin, Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary) of BIDA Mr. Lokman Hossain Miah, ERD Secretary Sharifa Khan were present in the conference.       

The conference was meant to facilitate a close interaction and exchange of views with the leadership of the government to find out the right synergy and give directives to the Envoys on how to protect and promote Bangladesh’s image abroad in the regional countries and enhance and strengthen bilateral sectoral engagements with host governments. The Envoys shared the latest situations in their countries of jurisdiction as well as the potentials and challenges of the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the host countries and briefed about the means and ways on how to enhance the relations to optimum level.  Among the issues, the envoys discussed/focused, were promotion of business and trade, drawing foreign direct investment from host countries to Bangladesh especially in the Exclusive Economic Zones and their efforts in branding the country in the host country. They also touched on the prospects/challenges in securing manpower employment market in the region and sought kind guidance on the course of actions in pursing the objectives/ targets of the government in view of the emerging challenges posed by the 4IR and the changing economic context.

Prime Minister gave valuable suggestions and guidance to the Envoys in addressing the challenges facing the missions in pursuing our national interests. She further directed the mission heads to work for the welfare of the Bangladesh expatriates engaged in various sectors of the region; easing of consular services through digital means, protecting their interests through legal and other assistance. The Prime Minister’s instructions also included zero tolerance towards the expatriates’ engagement in any criminal activity against the local laws. Cautioning them to be responsible for his/ her own misdoings, the missions heads were advised to fully cooperate with the host country in this regard.

The Foreign Minister advised the envoys to engage extra efforts in promoting trade and investment with the countries in the region and urged them to look for new markets for gainful employment of our workers. He further advised the envoys to strongly pursue public diplomacy as a tool to reach out to the media and the academia to uphold the good image of the country.

The Envoy Conference was held at a moment marking the volatile world economy in view of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a rising political instability in the region.