Port Louis, 13 June 2024:

Today, H.E.  Mr. Zokey Ahad, High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Republic of Mauritius presented his credentials to His Excellency Mr Prithvirajsing ROOPUN G.C.S.K, the President of the Republic of Mauritius in humble ceremony at the State House.

Following the presentation of credentials, the President congratulated and warmly welcomed H. E. Mr. Zokey Ahad while accepting the letter as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the Republic of Mauritius. President conveyed his good wishes to the Hon'ble President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The President said that Mauritius always values the existing relations between Bangladesh and Mauritius. He urged the Government of Bangladesh to use Mauritius as a Gateway to Africa, with a view to using trade facilities offered by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). He extended his appreciation for the contribution of Bangladeshi workers employed in Mauritius especially in textile sector.  He also put emphasis on singing the pending MoUs/Agreements between the two countries. He recalled his fond memories during his visit to Bangladesh in May 2023.

In reply, the High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Zokey Ahad conveyed the warm greetings of the Hon’ble President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the President of the Republic of Mauritius. He expressed his gratitude to the Government of Mauritius for extending warm welcome and cordial cooperation since his arrival in Mauritius.  He assured his best effort in strengthening the existing friendly relations between the two countries and promoting bilateral relations and cooperation to a new level. He apprised the President of the relentless effort of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to improve the quality of life of people of Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of 'Bangla of Gold'.  He added that in the recent past, the Government of Bangladesh, under the dynamic leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, earned a new height in international arena for its active role in the regional and global fora. He also appreciated the Government of Mauritius for recruiting workers from Bangladesh in their industries. Both also expressed their hope that the two governments will explore new avenues of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their countries in the days to come.

Mr. Ahad extended an invitation from the Hon'ble President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the President of the Republic of Mauritius to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

During the ceremony, Senior officers from the State House and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius were present.  Mr. Zakaria Bin Amjad, First Secretary (Political), Mr. Md. Jahangir Alam, First Secretary and Mr. Md Asaduzzaman, First Secretary (Labour) also attended the ceremony.

Mr. Ahad joined the Bangladesh Mission in Port Louis on 09 June 2024. A career diplomat, Mr. Zokey Ahad belongs to the 17th batch of BCS (Foreign Affairs) Cadre. Joining the service in 1998, he has served extensively both at home and abroad. In his distinguished diplomatic career, he has served in various capacities in Bangladesh Missions in Beijing, The Hague, Manchester, Kolkata and Kunming.