Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury
On the auspicious occasion of the 52nd anniversary of Independence and National Day of Bangladesh, I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt felicitations to all our friends and well wishers in Nepal and to the members of Bangladesh community residing in this beautiful country.
On this glorious day, I pay my profound respects to the greatest Banglaee of all times, Father of the Nation Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose dynamic leadership, selfless sacrifice and indomitable spirit led to the emergence of a sovereign and independent Bangladesh. I also pay my deep respect to our national leaders and valiant freedom fighters and the people from all walks of life who made the supreme sacrifice and contributed to the birth of an independent Bangladesh.
I also pay tribute, to the leaders and the friendly people of Nepal for their invaluable moral and material support extended to us during our War of Liberation.
Today, after five decades of independence, Bangladesh is marching ahead under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina towards transformation to a middle income economy by realizing the cherished dream of our Father of the Nation Banglabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to make Bangladesh a country of Sonar Bangla. The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu is working to support the government in pursuing this goal.
Bangladesh is deeply engaged with Nepal at bilateral, regional and multilateral platforms to promote trade, investment, power sector cooperation, tourism, education, cultural exchanges, human resource development, and people-to-people contacts.
In spite of the recent challenges, we have had significant progress in our relationship with Nepal in the last few years. we saw several high level visits in the two capitals. During the visit of immediate past President Bidya Devi Bhandari, we signed four agreements in areas of trade, tourism, connectivity and cultural cooperation.
Although nominal, the bilateral trade is growing every year. We are currently negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement between our two countries. A bilateral investment protection treaty is also under consideration of both the governments.
In the area of power sector cooperation, we are actively engaged in discussions to facilitate export of hydro electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh. I hope that using the existing mechanisms of regional cooperation, we will be able to remove all impediments for seamless road, rail and energy connectivity between the two countries.
This year we have stepped into the sixth decade of our relationship. Last year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of establishment of our diplomatic relations.
The regular mechanisms for sectoral engagements are being re-activated after a break of almost 3 years. In August 2022, we held the Water and Power Secretary Level Meetings in Kathmandu. The Foreign Secretary and Commerce Secretary level talks will be held soon to strengthen the institutional linkages and streamlining the trade related issues between the two countries.
Bangladesh and Nepal share historic bonds of friendship grounded on linguistic, cultural and civilizational linkages that have been cemented over the years.
We have similarity of views on global issues and shared vision of future prosperity. On issues like Climate Change and LDC graduation strategy, we work very closely with each other.
We are confident to work together with our Nepali friends to harness the available synergies for further strengthening the bilateral relations in the years ahead.
Finally, on behalf of all the Bangladesh nationals living in Nepal, I would like to extend our best wishes for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people and the Government of Nepal.
(Excerpt of a speech by the Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal on National Day of Bangladesh hosted on March 20 in Kathmandu)
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