Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said economic diplomacy would be the major focus of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's new government while Dhaka would continue to work with countries both in eastern and western hemispheres, reports BSS. "I will lay emphasis on economic diplomacy as my major focus," he said in his maiden interaction with the mainstream media after assuming the charge of his new portfolio.
He said Dhaka was particularly keen to explore expanded economic ties with African and South American nations as part of the economic diplomacy.
Mahmud said maintaining relations with countries in the East and Western hemispheres appeared as a major challenge against the backdrop of growing global polarization.
But, he said, Bangladesh would stick to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's foreign policy doctrine - friendship to all, malice towards none.
Regarding the 12th general election, the foreign minister said the polls were free and fair and envoys of the US, UK and all other countries congratulated the new government and expressed their willingness to work with Dhaka.
"All the countries in the east and the west have already expressed their willingness to work with us, with the government. At the end of the day, they are our development partners and we will work together," he said.
He said a good number of election observers from the USA, EU, OIC and commonwealth countries oversaw the election while in their primary observation they said the polls were fair and were held amid festivity with people's participation.
Economic diplomacy would be major focus
Says Hasan Mahmud
FE Team | Published: January 14, 2024 23:56:43
Economic diplomacy would be major focus
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