President asks diplomats to work with patriotism

President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday asked the Bangladeshi diplomats to perform their duties imbued with the Liberation War spirit and patriotism to build good relations with all friendly countries and international communities.

"Give priority to the country's welfare wherever you're…the diplomats will be ideals of the country and its people," he said while speaking at the concluding session of the "Envoys' Conference" at Bangabhaban in the evening.

The President said the envoys of different diplomatic missions are the representatives of the country, government and countrymen and their role in upholding the image of Bangladesh in the world arena is very significant.

"Discharge your duties considering the national interest and being accountable to the country and mass people," he told Bangladesh representatives of diplomatic missions abroad who took part in the first-ever conference on "Diplomacy for Peace and People".

Various national interests, challenges of foreign policy, Vision-2021, implementation of SDGs, trade and commerce, blue economic and communication, labour and migration, Rohingya crisis, regional and bilateral process, protocol and consular service dominated the three-day discussion.

Referring to the role of Bangladeshi expatriates in the country's socio-economic advancement, Abdul Hamid urged the diplomats to take special attention to the expatriates so that no one is harassed or deprived of getting their due rights in foreign countries. "You’ll have to be more active for expanding country's overseas manpower markets and exporting skilled manpower," he said describing remittance sent by the expatriates as the key driving factor of the country's economy.

The President directed the envoys to work for expanding the export market identifying the potential of goods and take necessary initiatives to attract foreign investment.

He also underscored the need for carrying out more campaign about the history of Bangladesh, rich cultural heritage, language, literature, world's largest sea beach and Sundarbans.

Abdul Hamid thanked the international community, especially Unesco, for recognising the 7th March Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as world's documentary heritage and 21st February as the International Mother Language Day.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and secretaries concerned to the Bangabhaban were, among others, present.  

Source: unb