Newly appointed ambassadors-designate of Sweden and People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on Wednesday (2 October) presented their credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the Bangabhaban.
The envoys are Dr Abdelouahab Saidani of Algeria and Nicolas Linus Ragnar Weeks of Sweden.
President’s press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.
Terming Sweden as a trusted development partner of Bangladesh for the last five decades, the Presidenr said Sweden is playing an important role in contributing to improve living standards of the poor, particularly women and children and promoting gender equality in addition to socio-economic development.
He expressed satisfaction with the existing ties between Bangladesh and Sweden.
The President said there are immense prospects of cooperation between the two friendly countries in trade and investment as well as in many promising sectors including IT, green transition, renewable energy and waste-to-energy, blue economy, maritime and food-processing.
President Shahabuddin hoped that Sweden as an important member of the European Union, will contribute to international peace, security and human rights, sustainable development and climate issues.
He thanked the Swedish government for its humanitarian support to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh and appreciated Sweden’s persistent commitment towards a durable solution of the Rohingya repatriation issue.
On the other hand, the President also proposed Algeria to consider importing world-standard Bangladeshi products such as textile, jute, pharmaceuticals, food and electronics during the meeting with the Algerian ambassador.
Highlighting the vast potentials for expanding bilateral trade and economic ties, the President requested exploring LPG or LNG supply from Algeria to Bangladesh on mutually favourable terms to support sustained growth.
He said the existing relations among the countries will be strengthened and the scope of trade will also boost with this mutual trade.
Both the ambassadors sought full cooperation of the President during their official assignments in Bangladesh in future.
The President welcomed the new ambassadors on their arrival and were accorded a “guard of honour” by the horse-mounted contingent of the President Guard Regiment (PGR).
