NZ's support sought to put pressure on Myanmar

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has requested non-resident High Commissioner of New Zealand to Bangladesh Joanna Mary Kempkers for its support to put pressure on Myanmar so that Myanmar takes back their nationals who are currently staying in Bangladesh, reports UNB.

The High Commissioner expressed high respect for the government of Bangladesh for generously accepting and protecting the displaced people and said New Zealand has provided 18 million dollar for humanitarian assistance to the displaced people and solution to their crisis lies in their early repatriation.

New Zealand is ranked top among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, and therefore Wellington likes to share its experience with Dhaka to improve business climate in Bangladesh to attract more foreign investment, said Joanna.

The issues came up for discussion when she paid a farewell courtesy call on Foreign Minister Momen at his office on Tuesday.

High Commissioner Joanna highly praised the socio- economic development of Bangladesh in recent years with significant reduction of maternal and child mortality rates, poverty alleviation, and sustained high economic growth.

She expressed keen interest of New Zealand to engage more with Bangladesh economically, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.

Foreign Minister Dr Momen requested the High Commissioner to help reduce the trade gap between Bangladesh and New Zealand, which remains in favour of New Zealand.