Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged Bangladesh’s envoys in Europe to explore new markets for Bangladeshi products, including RMG as well as the country’s human resources during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. He made the call during a virtual meeting attended by Bangladesh envoys from the UK, Italy, France, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria yesterday, a foreign ministry press release said today. The foreign minister directed Bangladesh envoys to explore opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in new destinations in Europe and instructed that they play their due roles in keeping Bangladesh’s export earnings afloat. Momen advised the envoys to disseminate information about the government’s initiatives, including a stimulus package to overcome the economic fallout caused by the pandemic, among Bangladeshi expatriates in their respective host countries. The foreign minister also urged the envoys to be vigilant about negative campaigns against Bangladesh in their host countries. Dr Momen said Bangladesh has been able to keep its economy afloat and ensure healthcare for Covid-19 patients due to the farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said the government has declared a US$ 12.11 billion stimulus package to help in the recovery of the national economy while the nearly five crore people of the country received cash support. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Dr Rubana Huq also attended the meeting. BGMEA President Rubana Huq said the RMG factories are in production following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO). She sought the Bangladesh envoy’s support in addressing issues of Bangladesh RMG products in the European market.
