Bangladesh and South Africa have signed a joint communiqué expressing the intention of both sides to further develop the bilateral relations including trade and economic cooperation, the foreign ministry said.
It was signed during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen and his South African counterpart Dr Naledi M Pandor on Tuesday at her office in Pretoria.
Dr Momen is in South Africa on an official visit
The two ministers had a tete-e-tete before the commencement of the official bilateral meeting. Pandor welcomed the Bangladesh delegation to Pretoria.
She praised the democratic government of Bangladesh and felicitated the celebration of the birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as well as the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
She also praised the remarkable socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She mentioned that South Africa and Bangladesh are working closely in bilateral and multilateral platforms and South Africa highly values the bonds of cooperation that exist between Bangladesh and South Africa.
She referred to the historic visit of South African President Nelson Mandela in Bangladesh in 1997 during the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
The South African minister also expressed satisfaction that the two countries have already signed some important agreements and a good number of agreements are under discussion now.
She underlined the importance of organisation of regular Senior Official meetings between the countries.
The South African Foreign Minister mentioned that both countries have a lot of potential for cooperation in trade, investments and technical exchanges.
She hailed the success of Bangladesh in women empowerment and social safety net areas.
She also lauded the success of Bangladesh in poverty eradication, food security and micro entrepreneurship areas.
Pandor also praised the outstanding role of Bangladesh peacekeepers in the UN Missions, including that in Africa.
She reiterated the intention of the South African government to continue cooperation under the framework of IORA.
The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh requested the South African side to consider opening a resident Mission of South Africa in Dhaka.
Pandor assured that the South African government may initially establish a diplomatic representation of South Africa in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister reiterated the desire of the Bangladesh government to work closely with South Africa and consolidate further the relations.
He mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is following the principles and ideals that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has outlined for the nation.
He mentioned that owing to its outstanding socio-economic development, Bangladesh is considered to be a model of economic development.
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister suggested that South African investors may invest in Bangladesh.
He stated that both countries can share exchange of knowledge in ICT areas among others.
The Foreign Minister also suggested that joint collaboration may be established in Ready-made Garments and pharmaceuticals sectors.
He proposed to the South African Foreign Minister for establishment of a Centre on agricultural cooperation between Bangladesh and South Africa, which may be named as Bangabandhu-Mandela Centre on Agriculture Cooperation and be based in South Africa.
He also suggested that both countries may continue cooperating in IORA, Blue Economy and climate change areas.
The two Foreign Ministers also reflected upon the important regional issues.
During the bilateral meeting, both sides focused on the issues of mutual interest and agreements under discussion.
At the end of the meeting, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister invited his South African counterpart to visit Bangladesh at her convenience.
