Envoys of Russia and Germany to Bangladesh separately presented their credentials to President M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here today.
The resident envoys in Dhaka are: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Alexander Vikentyevich MANTYTSKIY and Ambassador (designate) Achim Tröster of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Welcoming the new envoys, the President said Bangladesh always maintains a very excellent relations with Russia and Germany and the ties are gradually expanding in various fields, particularly in trade and investment, with the countries, President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told BSS this evening.
He gratefully recalled Russia’s cooperation in rebuilding the economy and infrastructure of the war-torn country after the 1971 Liberation War and Bangladesh Independence.
Referring to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas taken shelter in Bangladesh as a huge problem for Bangladesh, the President sought Russia’s cooperation in repatriating the Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine State, Myanmar.
Abdul Hamid urged the new Ambassador to take initiatives to harness the immense potentials for trade and investment between Bangladesh and Russia.
The President thanked the Russian government for its technical and financial support in various projects, including the establishment of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.
During the meeting with German ambassador, President Hamid said Germany is one of the development partners of Bangladesh.
He said Germany is one of the important export destinations of Bangladesh. There is an ample opportunity to increase trade with Germany in various sectors, including readymade garments (RMG), leather goods and frozen foods.
The head of the state hoped that trade between the two countries would further increase during his tenure as the new envoy.
He asked German investors to invest in various sectors, including special economic zones and high-tech parks as a very trade-conducive environment is prevailing here.
On the Rohingyas repatriation issue, President Hamid sought Germany’s cooperation, expressing the hope that the German government would continue to put pressure on Myanmar authority to take back their displaced citizens.
Both the ambassadors sought President’s all-out cooperation in discharging their duties in Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, President’s Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin, Secretary (attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.
Earlier, on their arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the envoys guards of honour.
