Foreign minister urges ambassadors to find new markets for garments
He also requested the diplomats to be alert regarding negative publicity about Bangladesh in the foreign countries
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged Bangladesh's ambassadors in European countries to look for new markets while preserving the existing market there–so that the country's export earnings continue undisrupted amid the pandemic.
At a virtual meeting on Monday Dr Momen directed the ambassadors to inform the governments of the countries where they are appointed, and expatriates, about the stimulus as well as other initiatives announced by the Bangladeshi government to counter the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also requested the diplomats to be alert regarding negative publicity about Bangladesh in the foreign countries.
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The foreign minister noted that the government, under the farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been able to provide treatment for Covid-19 patients along with keeping the wheel of economy moving.
He said the government announced packages worth $12.11 billion to ease the temporary pressure on the economy and provided cash assistance to around five crore people.
Dr Momen said garments factories in the country are continuing their production following the directions of the World Health Organization and International Labour Organization.
He also said some days ago Bangladesh exported 65 lakh units of personal protective equipment to the United States after meeting demand inside the country.
"The production and export of different medicines to treat the novel coronavirus are ongoing, undisrupted, due to the unimaginable development of the pharmaceuticals sector," Dr Momen added.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Dr Rubana Haque also participated in the meeting.
Dr Rubana informed the ambassadors about different problems within the garments sector and sought their help in this regard. The ambassadors assured her of all sorts of support at the meeting.
Bangladesh's ambassadors to: the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria participated in the meeting.
