Staff Reporter :
Italy, Germany, Greece, and Romania have expressed strong interest in recruiting 3,000 Bangladeshi workers across various sectors.
This number is expected to increase based on the workers’ efficiencies and credentials, according to Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley at the Foreign Ministry, Mahmud highlighted the potential for further recruitment from Bangladesh, contingent on the workers’ performance.
“Four EU countries including Italy, Germany, Greece, and Romania have expressed keen interest in recruiting around 3,000 Bangladeshi workers,” Mahmud stated. He also conveyed Ambassador Whiteley’s optimism regarding future manpower needs.
In response to questions about the meeting, the Minister discussed the Continuation of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and other trade facilities for Bangladeshi products in EU countries until 2032.
These privileges will remain in place even after Bangladesh’s graduation to a middle-income country in 2026.
On the outcome of the Foreign Ministers’ Second Retreat conference held in Delhi on July 11-12, Mahmud announced that the next retreat will take place in Thailand on September 4, where Bangladesh will assume the chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
This development marks a significant opportunity for Bangladeshi workers and underscores the strengthening economic ties between Bangladesh and the European Union.
During the second BIMSTEC Retreat, discussions focused on climate change, medical treatment, and energy security, with particular emphasis on the use of green energy through hydro-electricity generation in Nepal and Bhutan, according to Hasan Mahmud.
In addition to the BIMSTEC Retreat, the Foreign Minister held sideline meetings with his counterparts from India and Myanmar.
In discussions with the Indian foreign minister, Hasan Mahmud addressed several key issues, including the determination of import quotas for perishable goods for Bangladesh, the deployment of a technical team for the Teesta River project, and Bangladesh’s potential inclusion in BRICS.
Regarding his meeting with Myanmar’s foreign minister, Hasan Mahmud reported, “Myanmar wants to repatriate the Rohingyas once the situation stabilises there.”
However, ongoing internal conflicts between Myanmar’s army and rebel groups continue to destabilise the country, showing no signs of resolution.
This instability has also affected Bangladeshi citizens living near the Myanmar border, who endure fearful nights due to bombardments across the border, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty.
Additionally, the Foreign Minister condemned the recent attack on former US President Donald Trump, stating that there should be no place for violence in politics.
Trump was shot at while addressing an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in front of tens of thousands of his supporters.
Hasan Mahmud made these comments to journalists at the Foreign Ministry, providing updates on his participation in the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.
“Our position is very clear. We don’t want any conflicts in politics. We express our concern and contemn the shooting incident targeting Donald Trump. There was no violence in US politics and there should not have any violence in politics,” he said.
Pointing to the political violence in Bangladesh, he said, “People are burnt to kill in our country. People’s properties are vandalised and burnt. It is never acceptable. It is undesirable and against the law.”
Meanwhile, Hasan Mahmud has also talked with the journalists about the ongoing anti-quota movement, stating that the issue is under sub judice and the government now cannot give any decision on it because it would be regarded as ‘contempt of the court.’
Terming the anti-quota movement as illogical, he said, “I don’t think it has any logical ground. It is just showing thump towards the court.”