New embassies in Ethiopia, Nigeria soon

The government will soon inaugurate two embassies in Africa – one in Ethiopia and the other in Nigeria – with a view to coordinating peacekeeping activities and expanding trade and diplomatic ties with the nation; revealed sources in the foreign ministry and cabinet division. They said that already, the secretary committee on administrative improvement affairs has recommended opening Bangladeshi missions in the two African countries. The committee has also approved a manpower of 17 which includes two ambassadors and two first secretaries for the missions.
Secretary of Foreign Ministry Md Shahidul Haque said they will open a new embassy in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to coordinate peacekeeping activities between the United Nations and Bangladesh. “Bilateral diplomatic, trade and commercial relations will also get prominence with opening of the new mission in Ethiopia, known as the Horn of Africa,” said the foreign ministry proposal. As for the new embassy in Nigeria, the proposal said it will create new markets for Bangladeshi products, possibilities for export of skilled and non-skilled manpower, and promote multilateral interest in what is the world’s 20th largest economy.
“Influential nations like USA, UK, France, China and India have increased diplomatic activities to explore new opportunities in African countries. Expected dynamism will not be achieved because of limited presence of Bangladeshi missions in the African continent. There are only six Bangladeshi missions in six out of 54 countries in Africa. It will be possible to increase bilateral relations with African nations by opening Bangladeshi missions in these countries,” said the proposal.
It is learnt that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recently given her consent to inaugurating the missions in Ethiopia and Nigeria. A summary sent to her read as: “It has become essential to expand and bring changes in diplomatic activities of the country to meet rapid changes, possibilities and challenges in the world situation.”
“The PM has already given her consent to opening nine more Bangladeshi missions abroad, especially in South America, Middle East, and Europe,” it said.
Former Diplomat Ambassador and Vice President of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) M. Humayun Kabir told this correspondent that the government should open more missions in African countries.
Sources in the foreign ministry said they are working to appoint two diplomats to set up the missions in the two African countries.

New embassies in Ethiopia, Nigeria soon

The government will soon inaugurate two embassies in Africa one in Ethiopia and the other in Nigeria with a view to coordinating peacekeeping activities and expanding trade and diplomatic ties with the nation; revealed sources in the foreign ministry and cabinet division. They said that already, the secretary committee on administrative improvement affairs has recommended opening Bangladeshi missions in the two African countries. The committee has also approved a manpower of 17 which includes two ambassadors and two first secretaries for the missions. Secretary of Foreign Ministry Md Shahidul Haque said they will open a new embassy in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to coordinate peacekeeping activities between the United Nations and Bangladesh. Bilateral diplomatic, trade and commercial relations will also get prominence with opening of the new mission in Ethiopia, known as the Horn of Africa, said the foreign ministry proposal. As for the new embassy in Nigeria, the proposal said it will create new markets for Bangladeshi products, possibilities for export of skilled and non-skilled manpower, and promote multilateral interest in what is the worlds 20th largest economy. Influential nations like USA, UK, France, China and India have increased diplomatic activities to explore new opportunities in African countries. Expected dynamism will not be achieved because of limited presence of Bangladeshi missions in the African continent. There are only six Bangladeshi missions in six out of 54 countries in Africa. It will be possible to increase bilateral relations with African nations by opening Bangladeshi missions in these countries, said the proposal. It is learnt that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recently given her consent to inaugurating the missions in Ethiopia and Nigeria. A summary sent to her read as: It has become essential to expand and bring changes in diplomatic activities of the country to meet rapid changes, possibilities and challenges in the world situation. The PM has already given her consent to opening nine more Bangladeshi missions abroad, especially in South America, Middle East, and Europe, it said. Former Diplomat Ambassador and Vice President of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) M. Humayun Kabir told this correspondent that the government should open more missions in African countries. Sources in the foreign ministry said they are working to appoint two diplomats to set up the missions in the two African countries.