Ties to expand further, hopes President

The newly appointed British High Commissioner and non-resident ambassadors of Congo, Belgium and Guatemala to Bangladesh on Tuesday presented their credentials to President Abdul Hamid separately, reports UNB.

President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after their meetings with Abdul Hamid.

The envoys are British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson, and non-resident ambassadors Geovani Rene Castillo Polanco of Guatemala, Francois DELHAYE of Belgium and Andre POH of Congo.

During his meeting with the British High Commissioner, the President said, "The United Kingdom is one of the development partners of Bangladesh.

The bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the UK is very excellent and it is growing day by day."

President Hamid also recalled UK's political and advocacy supports during Bangladesh's Liberation War and historic meeting between Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sir Edward Heath at No. 10 Downing Street in January 1972.

He also expressed the gratitude to the people and the government of Britain for their political and advocacy supports during the 1971 Liberation War.

Voicing his satisfaction, Hamid said, "The bilateral relationship in trade and investment between Bangladesh and the UK has been growing steadily."

Abdul Hamid also asked the British government to explore the potential here.

The President mentioned that the existing excellent relations between the two countries and hoped that the relations would reach a new height in the days to come.

Meanwhile, Hamid expressed the hope that the bilateral relations with these countries will be expanded further during their assignments in Bangladesh.

Terming Bangladesh a country of huge potentials, Hamid stressed tapping all the possibilities in the interest of their respective countries and Bangladesh to bolster businesses and trade ties.

Noting that Bangladesh has huge scopes for availing of different opportunities, he stressed exchanging high-level visits of the government and private sectors' representatives.

The envoys sought all-out cooperation of the President in discharging their respective duties in Bangladesh.

Lauding the tremendous development of Bangladesh in various sectors, especially in socio-economic one, the envoys assured necessary support for Bangladesh from their respective countries' positions.

The President also suggested Congo, Belgium and Guatemala to invest in different sector, especially in tourism one.

Earlier on their arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the guard of honour to the envoys.

Secretaries concerned to the President and high officials of Foreign Ministry were present.