ASEAN missions pledge to strengthen and deepen ties with Bangladesh

ASEAN missions in Bangladesh remain committed to further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the Southeast Asian bloc, ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC) Chairman and Malaysian High Commissioner Mohd Shuhada Othman said.

“We value Bangladesh as a close friend and an increasingly important partner in South Asia,” Othman said at a reception in Dhaka on Monday night marking the 59th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He said Bangladesh and ASEAN could leverage their respective strengths to create mutually beneficial opportunities and promote shared prosperity.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Malaysia, his first official trip to an ASEAN member state, Othman said the visit reflected the importance Bangladesh places on expanding its engagement with ASEAN.

With more than 680 million people, ASEAN represents one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions, while Bangladesh offers significant opportunities through its large and youthful population, he said.

Othman highlighted growing cooperation in trade and investment, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, describing these areas as key avenues for deeper bilateral and regional engagement.

Speaking as the chief guest, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid called on ASEAN countries to continue supporting Bangladesh’s bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner.

“We remain hopeful that ASEAN’s relations with Bangladesh will become increasingly meaningful, particularly following Bangladesh’s formal acceptance into the ASEAN family,” he said.

The minister said the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given high priority to strengthening relations with ASEAN and its 11 member states.

Bangladesh has already launched several initiatives to expand sectoral cooperation with ASEAN, including a fisheries and aquaculture project worth nearly US$500,000. Cooperation is also progressing in tourism, information and communication technology, micro, small and medium enterprises, and culture.

Aminur Rashid said centuries-old historical and cultural connections, strong people-to-people ties and robust trade relations provide a solid foundation for taking Bangladesh-ASEAN relations to a new level.

Heads of ASEAN missions, diplomats based in Dhaka, and representatives from the business community, civil society and media attended the reception.