Dhaka, 06 January 2020: 

Ambassador Nahida Sobhan called on H. E. Maha Ali, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply of Jordan, on 05 January 2021 at the Minister’s office. Mr. Zaher Al-Qatarneh, Assistant Secretary General (equivalent to our Additional Secretary) of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Supply was present at the meeting. Mr. Muhammad Bashir, First Secretary of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Jordan accompanied the Ambassador.

During the call on Ambassador Sobhan and the Trade Minister exchanged views on strengthening bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Ambassador Sobhan mentioned that there are a lot of scopes to strengthen trade relations between Bangladesh and Jordan. She added that she would work together with Jordan with this aim during her stay. They discussed about concluding a trade agreement between the two countries. Minister Ms. Maha Ali informed that an MOU between BCCIC of the Ministry of Industries of Bangladesh and Jordan Mine Phosphate Company (JPMC) of Jordan has been concluded in 2017 in the presence of the then Industry Minister of Bangladesh.

The Ambassador expressed eagerness to exchange business delegations between the two countries to explore more opportunities by both the countries. Due to COVID19 situation it might not be possible to conduct such visits right now, she added. In this context, she proposed to begin such discussion between business communities through a webinar, where relevant business people can participate from both sides. Such meetings could later be followed up by exchanging delegations when the global pandemic situation would be over. She stated that the Embassy of Bangladesh is ready to facilitate such meetings. 

The Minister praised this idea. Showing keen interest, she said that her Ministry and the Embassy could work together to prepare concept note and agenda for the webinar to make it fruitful. Her Excellency the Ambassador proposed that it might take place in May 2021. While handing over some leather goods as gift to the Minister, Ambassador Sobhan briefed the Minister about the leather industry in Bangladesh and its potentialities. She mentioned that currently, Bangladesh is 8^th largest global exporter of leather products and leather. In addition to the skilled labour for RMG Sectors, Bangladesh also has skilled workers for leather industries, she then supplemented.

Both the Ambassador and the Minister also praised women’s empowerment in their respective countries.