There is still a negative perception among international journalists about Bangladesh after the Holey Artisan Bakery terrorist incident that saw the death of 20 hostages, predominantly Italians and Japanese nationals, Dr Thomas Prinz, German ambassador in Dhaka, said yesterday.

In response, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said that the country is now more or less safe to move around. At the same time, he said that nowadays every country of the world is vulnerable to such type of incidents. The minister and the German envoy were speaking at the inauguration and award ceremony of the second edition exhibition of ‘Bangladesh through our eyes 2018’ in cooperation with Drik at the German embassy. All the photographs were taken by members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Bangladesh.

Speaking on the occasion, the German envoy mentioned that following the first exhibition at the Turkish ambassador’s residence two years back, they could not organise the second edition next year due to the terrorist attacks at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan in July, 2016.

“I hope Bangladesh will be waived from this type of incidents,” he said.

Mentioning that there is still negative view among journalists about Bangladesh after the Holey Artisan Bakery incident, Dr Prinz said that the exhibition is intended to contribute to bringing a more positive image of Bangladesh.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Foreign Minister Ali assured that everything in Bangladesh is well under control and that everyone can move around the country safely.

Declaring the exhibition open from April 16 to April 25, he distributed awards among the participants. The husband of the Norwegian ambassador in Dhaka won the grand prize.