Dhaka, 12 February 2020: 

Mr. Marcin Przydacz, Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland has paid a 2 days’ official visit to Bangladesh on 11-12 February 2020. During this visit, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister paid courtesy call on the Foreign Minister today at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During this meeting, Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, MP, mentioned that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is making remarkable socio-economic progress in every sector to realize the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh Foreign Minister emphasized on the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries. He also urged the Polish delegation to encourage Polish investors and entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh in various sectors like blue economy, shipbuilding, agricultural, food processing, energy cooperation, etc. Polish Deputy Minister Mr. Marcin Przydacz assured that Poland is eager to continue cooperation with Bangladesh. He further informed that the Polish government is considering to reopen its embassy in Dhaka.

Before that, the first ever Bilateral Consultations between Bangladesh and Poland took place today at the State Guest House Meghna. The Polish delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Marcin Przydacz and Bangladesh side was led by Foreign Secretary Mr. Masud Bin Momen. The two sides reviewed the progress made in different areas of cooperation in the past and discussed the future course of cooperation.

During the Consultations, Foreign Secretary thanked the government of Poland for their support during the War of Liberation in 1971. He expressed satisfaction at the growing rate of bilateral trade between the two countries which reached to the amount of USD 1.2 billion in the last fiscal year (2018-19) and urged both the sides to work together to increase bilateral trade and investment.

Foreign Secretary also urged the Polish government to encourage Polish investors and entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh in Hi-Tech Parks (HTPs) and Specialized Economic Zones (SEZs). Polish Deputy Foreign Minister too pointed out that both Bangladesh and Poland may realize the huge potentials of bilateral trade and commerce. He emphasized on enhanced business contacts in the form of exchange of visits of business delegations as well as those between Chambers of Commerce of the two countries. Both sides agreed to increase trade and investment through various mechanism like setting up a joint committee, exchanging business delegations, and signing up instrument of cooperation, etc.

In addition to that, Bangladesh and Poland agreed to reinforce and establish cooperation in the sectors like Education, Culture, Agriculture, Energy and Mining, Science & Technology, ICT, Defence and Blue Economy. Foreign Secretary also requested the Polish delegation to ease the visa issuance procedure for Bangladeshi students, businessmen and visitors. Mentioning the availability of a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled professionals and workers in Bangladesh, he proposed the Polish side to import skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh to fulfill the labour shortage in Poland.

Apart from bilateral issues, views on international and regional issues were exchanged during the meeting both Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary thanked the Polish government for their continued support to Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, and requested to further extend this support as a responsible member of the international community to ensure safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland.  Both sides further agreed to maintain possible cooperation in different international fora and platforms.

After the Consultations, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland was signed to hold such Consultations on regular basis.

Mr. Przydacz yesterday visited the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum on 11 February 2020 and paid tribute to the memories of the Father of the Nation and his family members who were brutally killed in 1975.