State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam held bilateral talks with his Polish counterpart Ms. Joanna Wronecka, Deputy Minister (Undersecretary of State) for Development Cooperation, Africa and Middle-East, Asia and Pacific, Economic Diplomacy and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw on Thursday.
Recalling the significant contribution and support of Poland in our Liberation War in 1971, the State Minister expressed gratitude and emphasized on enhanced bilateral cooperation between the two time-tested friendly countries.
State Minister shared that Bangladesh and Poland have many similarities in a variety of fields. Describing the recent progress of Bangladesh economy, he mentioned that Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies of the world with a strong domestic market of 160 million people.
He mentioned that many European countries are showing keen interest to invest and do business in Bangladesh, an increasingly geostrategic regional economic and logistics hub.
Pointing out the demographic dividend, competitive and skilled labour force and congenial business environment, Bangladesh could be a lucrative destination for the Polish businesses in many priority areas like shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear, agro-processing.
State Minister highlighted that Bangladesh established its resident Mission in Warsaw in 2015 taking note of the potential of further growth in bilateral relations.
He further emphasized on opening of resident Polish Mission in Dhaka soon to tap the opportunities of deepening and widening of bilateral relations on economic, trade and investment, education, agriculture, knowledge and innovation - in the coming days.
State Minister urged for easing of visas for Bangladeshi students, who are interested to avail study opportunities at the world class Polish universities.
Polish Deputy Minister assured that they will take necessary steps/initiative to facilitate visas for Bangladeshi students.
State Minister also sought support of his Polish counterpart for scholarships for Bangladeshi students. The Polish Deputy Minister emphasized on regular dialogue at the senior official / political level to further strengthen bilateral ties.
She also sought Bangladesh’s support for Polish candidatures in different international bodies. In response, State Minister Alam emphasized to institutionalize the regular political consultations through signing of Memorandum of Understanding that Bangladesh has done with many other countries, including European neighbors.
He further assured that Bangladesh would give due consideration to Polish candidatures. Thanking Bangladesh for successfully arranging the 136th IPU Assembly in April 2017 in Dhaka, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction at the growing high level visits and contacts between the two countries.
She further mentioned that balance of trade between two countries is heavily in favour of Bangladesh and they would like to reduce that gap by offering to transfer state-of-the-art Polish technology for extraction of mineral resources, including coal, in Bangladesh.
Earlier State Minister met with Polish Deputy Minister (Undersecretary of State) for Economic Development Tadeusez Koscinski at the Ministry of Economic Development of Poland, along with a 10-member Bangladesh business delegation.
In the meeting, two Ministers agreed to exchange business delegation on regular basis and exchanged views on opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.
State Minister Alam highlighted Bangladesh’s ambition to be a Middle Income Country under the Vision 2021. He said that economy of Bangladesh is premised on three pillars: agriculture, remittance and export (mostly, RMG).
The Polish Deputy Minister briefed the Bangladesh State Minister about the ongoing economic reform agenda which is hinged on five pillars: re-industrialization, knowledge and innovation, capital market development, export, infrastructure for inclusive growth.
He expressed keen interest to work together with Bangladesh to identify mutually beneficial economic opportunities.
In the afternoon, State Minister attended a Business Seminar at the Polish National Chamber of Commerce, where business delegations of the two countries exchanged views and held B2B meetings to explore areas for mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities.