The president said Bangladesh attaches importance to developing bilateral ties with all countries of the world
Newly appointed non-resident Ambassadors and High Commissioners from seven countries have presented their credentials to the honorable President Mohammed Shahabuddin. They each presented their credentials at Bangabhaban on Wednesday (January 31) and were accorded a guard of honor by a horse-mounted team of the Presidential Guard Regiment.
Newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners of seven countries to Bangladesh presented their credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Wednesday.
The new non-resident envoys are –
- High Commissioner of Botswana Gilbert Shimane Magole
- Ambassador of Cambodia Koy Kuong
- High Commissioner of Gambia Mustapha Jawara
- Ambassador of Hungary Istvan Szabo
- High Commissioner of Jamaica Jason K Hall
- Ambassador of Luxembourg Peggy Frantzen
- Ambassador of the Czech Republic Dr Eliska Zigova
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other officials from the president’s office were present at the event.
During the Credentials presentation ceremony, the president said, Bangladesh attaches importance to developing bilateral ties with all countries of the world. He also highlighted the significant development achieved in various sectors over the last one and a half decades, expressing optimism about Bangladesh’s current trade and investment situation. The president expressed hope that the new Ambassadors
would collaborate with Bangladesh to explore the development potentials of their respective countries and enhance mutual cooperation, including trade and investment. During the meeting, the envoys sought the president’s full cooperation in fulfilling their assignments and expressed their determination to progress the relations of their respective countries with Bangladesh.
Seven New Envoys Profile
High Commissioner of Botswana Gilbert Shimane Magole
Honorable Gilbert Shimane Magole is the high commissioner of Botswana to India and a non-resident envoy to Bangladesh. He has over 20 years of experience in project administration, finance, procurement, and communications strategies, primarily in the financial services and parastatal sectors in Botswana. During his tenure as Market Access Manager at the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) in 2011, he successfully developed the “Market Access Operational Strategy for LEA” to improve the organization’s market access function.
Ambassador of Cambodia Koy Kuong
Honorable Koy Kuong is the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia. He has been involved in responding to international issues and has been mentioned in various news articles and official government websites in this capacity Koy Kuong has also been involved in discussions to deepen ties in defense, security, and connectivity between Cambodia and India.
High Commissioner of Jamaica Jason K Hall
Honorable Jason K Hall is the high commissioner for Jamaica to the Republic of India, with non-resident accreditation to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Nepal.
Ambassador of Luxembourg Peggy Frantzen
Honorable Peggy Frantzen is the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Sri Lanka, based in New Delhi. She has been serving in this role since at least November 2022. Prior to this, she also visited the Indian Institute of Technology Madras Research Park during her tenure as the Ambassador in New Delhi. Her professional experience and diplomatic engagements are a testament to her role as a representative of Luxembourg in the region.
Ambassador of Hungary Istvan Szabo
Honorable Istvan Szabo is the Ambassador of Hungary to the Republic of Maldives, and he presented his credentials to the President of the Maldives in May 2023. He is also the Ambassador of Hungary to India, based in New Delhi, and presented his credentials to the President of India in March 2023. Additionally, he has been involved in consular activities in India as the Ambassador of Hungary.
High Commissioner of Gambia Mustapha Jawara
The current high commissioner of The Gambia to India is His Excellency Mr. Mustapha Jawara. He serves as the High Commissioner for The Gambia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad. H.E. Mr. Mustapha Jawara is based at the High Commission of the Republic of The Gambia in New Delhi.
Ambassador of the Czech Republic Dr Eliska Zigova
Ambassador Dr. Eliska Zigova, born on August 4, 1960, in Gdansk, Poland, is a seasoned diplomat with a rich international career. Fluent in English, Polish, Russian, and Czech. Her professional journey includes key roles such as the Consul General of the Czech Republic in New York (2008-2012), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (2014-2018), and Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague (2018-2022). Notably, she assumed the role of Ambassador-designate of the Czech Republic in India on September 14, 2022. Ambassador Zigova has showcased her diplomatic prowess in various regions, contributing significantly to Czech foreign relations throughout her distinguished career.
Bangladesh’s Commitment to Bilateral Ties
Bangladesh and Hungary
The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Hungary are cordial, with both countries working towards further strengthening them since 1972 as the first European countries to recognize Bangladesh’s sovereignty. In 2023, officials from Bangladesh and Hungary met to discuss bilateral relations, including the conclusion of an income tax treaty. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record high, with increasing demand for Hungarian pharmaceuticals in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi textile products in Hungary.
Bangladesh and Gambia
The Gambia and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations on 12 April 1973. The two countries have maintained a positive relationship, as evidenced by the visit of the Gambian Foreign Minister to Bangladesh in 2023, where they agreed on continuing mutual collaboration for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis. This visit underscores the ongoing engagement and cooperation between the two nations.
Bangladesh and Cambodia
Bangladesh and Cambodia maintain bilateral relations with a focus on cooperation in various areas. In 2022, both countries expressed their desire to promote cooperation, particularly in the economy and food security. Additionally, they have been working to boost bilateral trade and were likely to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance their trade relationship. Trade between Bangladesh and Cambodia has been significant, with efforts to further strengthen economic ties. Furthermore, in 2023, the two countries held their 1st Foreign Office Consultations to bolster bilateral cooperation, indicating ongoing efforts to enhance their relations. Overall, the relationship between Bangladesh and Cambodia encompasses various areas of cooperation, including trade, economy, and bilateral consultations.
Bangladesh and Luxembourg
Bangladesh and Luxembourg established diplomatic relations on November 20, 1973, following Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. Luxembourg recognized Bangladesh on February 11, 1972. The two countries have expressed interest in expanding their bilateral economic activities and have taken necessary steps in this regard. The Bangladesh Business Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (BBCCL) is an organization that promotes Bangladeshi products in Luxembourg. Bangladesh and Luxembourg share friendly relations based on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Bangladesh and Botswana
Bangladesh and Botswana have been working to strengthen their bilateral relations. In 2019, it was noted that there is significant potential for enhanced ties between the two countries, given Bangladesh’s diverse and rapidly growing economic base. Furthermore, Bangladesh and Botswana have signed an agreement on visa exemption and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations, indicating a positive trajectory in their diplomatic relations. Both countries have also agreed to celebrate 50 years of their diplomatic relations through various programs in Gaborone and Dhaka. These developments highlight the ongoing efforts to deepen the relationship between Bangladesh and Botswana.
Bangladesh and the Czech Republic
Bangladesh and the Czech Republic can advance their businesses with the potential for mutual benefits. The private sectors in both countries could foster Business-to-Business (B2B) contacts, promoting trade and investment. The Czech Republic is eager for a robust partnership with Bangladesh, offering government support for mutual trade goals. Bangladesh holds a favorable trade balance, with impressive export growth to the Czech Republic, reaching 98.13% in FY 2010-11 and 107% in FY 2011-12. In FY 2013-14, Bangladesh exported $110 million worth of goods to the Czech Republic, while importing $50 million worth of products.
Bangladesh and Jamaica
Bangladesh and Jamaica maintain a bilateral relationship marked by diplomatic cooperation and shared interests. The two nations actively engage in dialogue and collaborative efforts across diplomatic, economic, and cultural spheres. This relationship underscores a commitment to mutual growth and understanding, reflecting shared values and a desire for positive diplomatic ties.
