Australia keen to boost trade, defence partnership with BD

Australia is seeking to enhance their relationship with Bangladesh, focusing on economic partnership and supporting regional connectivity and stability, including defense cooperation.

Acting High Commissioner of Australia in Dhaka Nadia Simpson expressed the interest on Tuesday while addressing a programme organised to mark Australian Day.

"Our bilateral trade reached 04 billion Australian dollars in 2022. And we're continuing to progress the trade and investment framework arrangement which was signed in 2021," she said.

"And we look forward to hosting the third round of joint talks later this year," said Ms Simpson.

"We have a robust defense cooperation programme strengthening the defense relationship between our two countries, including through Australia's flagship defense engagement, the Indo-Pacific endeavour."

It's an occasion to reflect on the warm and friendly relationship between Australia and Bangladesh, she added.

"As Australian foreign minister Penny Wong told the seventh Indian Ocean Conference in Perth last week, we are deepening our historical commitment to multilateralism," said the acting Australian high commissioner.

"We demonstrate our respect for each other by upholding the same rules. The less we all operate by the same rules, the less united we are, the more likely it is that vulnerabilities will be exploited."

"Our friendship has grown over the years with commonwealth traditions, strong partnerships and close people-to-people links fostered actively by our two governments," she mentioned.

Simpson further said Australia continues to be a long standing development partner of Bangladesh with sustainable and inclusive investments guided by new international development policy, which maintains focus on a genuine partnership.

Australia recognises the generosity of the Bangladesh government and the Bangladeshi people in hosting over 01 million refugees from Myanmar. They are proud to have provided over $424 million in humanitarian assistance since 2017.

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