Bangladesh envoy praises excellent ties with UAE

Abu Dhabi: Bangladesh expatriates celebrated the 37th anniversary of their country's independence on Wednesday and paid homage to martyrs who have laid down their lives in the liberation of their motherland.

Ambassador Nazimullah Choudhury unfurled the national flag at the embassy in the presence of community members, students and teachers, who also recited the national anthem.

He recalled the excellent relations between Bangladesh and the UAE, which he said were based on "religion, history, culture and traditions."

"This is evident from the widening bilateral cooperation between our two countries in areas such as the economy, trade and investment.

"Our close relations are manifested by the presence of nearly 650,000 Bangladesh expatriates who are contributing to the vibrant growth of the UAE economy," said Choudhury.

Choudhury said the current volume of trade between Bangladesh and the UAE was "nearly $300 million" (Dh1,101 million)

Trade

Choudhury added while the balance of trade is in favour of the UAE, the momentum of two-way trade is growing very fast.

"The UAE has emerged as the fifth-largest foreign investor in Bangladesh."

"We want our country to prosper further and I wish for the betterment of our country in all spheres - political, social and industrial," Salina Begum, a teacher said.

Community leader, Mohammad Khaledyar, said the aim of the Bangladesh government should be to reduce poverty in the country, expand the economy and trade and improve the quality of education.

Yousuf Haroon, staff officer at the Bangladesh embassy, said: "We achieved our independence through a lot of struggle. We should cherish this freedom."

"I was born in the year of our independence, so it doubles my happiness. However, the Bangladesh government should do something about reining in prices of food items back home," Nasir Uddin Talukder, a sales manager, said.

"The interim government has done a good job in fighting corruption, but an elected government must be in place," said A.H.M. Tajul Islam, a businessman.

Shaikh A. Karim, a banker, said although he is a proud Bangladeshi, he is not too happy with political situation in his country.

"We need a clean, democratic government that can take Bangladesh to great heights," he said.

Bangladesh's Independence and National Day was observed in the premises of the Bangladesh Consulate General in Dubai and the northern emirates in a befitting manner.