BD to set up embassy/consulate in 10 countries

Sangsad Bhaban, Sept 27 (UNB) - Bangladesh will set up full-fledged embassies/ consulates in 10 countries during the current fiscal.

Answering a scripted question from Md. Majibul Haque (Kishoreganj-3), State Minister for Forest and Environment Dr Hasan Mahmud said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved this in principle.

Dr Hasan Mahmud answered the question in absence of Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, now visiting New York on the occasion of the 65th UN General Assembly.

Hasan said the Prime Minister has given approval in principle to set up full-fledged embassy/consulate in Kabul in Afghanistan, Freetown in Sierra Leone, Abuja in Nigeria, Lisbon in Portugal, Port Louis in Mauritius, Beirut in Lebanon, Kunming in China, and Milan in Italy, as well as Mexico and Denmark.

Besides, approval of the Prime Minister has also been taken to re-establish missions in Brazil, Algeria, Poland and Romania, the State Minister said.

Dr Hasan said further steps have been taken to set up deputy missions in Mumbai, Chennai and Guwahati of India and in Vienna, Austria.

In his response to a supplementary question of Rashed Khan Menon (Dhaka-8), Dr Hasan Mahmud said the government, since taking office, has further strengthened the labor wings of embassies in various countries.

Fazle Rabbi Mia (Gaibandha-5) in his supplementary question wanted to know why complexities over Akama (work permit) transfer has not been removed yet, even though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her Saudi Arabia visit in April 2009 got an assurance from the Saudi government in this regard.

In reply, Dr Hasan Mahmud said the government is working to remove prevailing complexities over work-permit for the Bangladeshi workers living in Saudi Arabia.

He also said complexities regarding family visa have already been simplified following the Prime Minister’s Saudi Arabia visit.

Dr Hasan further said a huge number of Rohingyas went to Saudi Arabia using Bangladeshi passports during the last BNP-Jamaat regime, resulting in various problems for real Bangladeshi expatriates.

END/UNB/