Bangladesh Foreign Minister hosts Austrian counterpart, urges Austrian companies to invest in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 20 February 2019

Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen urged the Austrian businessmen and investors to invest in Bangladesh taking advantage of the country’s demographic dividend and attractive packages that are on offer for foreign direct investment (FDI). He also highlighted Bangladesh’s tremendous socioeconomic developments particularly during the last one decade in light of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Vision 2021 and Vision 2041 that envisages the transformation of Bangladesh into Sonar Bangla or Golden Bengal as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Foreign Minister Momen was speaking at a Business luncheon that he hosted in honor of the visiting Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria Dr. Karin KNEISSL and her delegation at the State Guest House Padma today. The event was also attended by an Austrian Business delegation comprising representatives of 13 leading companies from Austria and different Bangladesh public and private authorities responsible for invest and business promotion, including BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA, ERD, FBCCI, DCCI, MCCI, BWCCI etc. A few leading Bangladesh companies also took part in the event.

Earlier the day,   Bangladesh Foreign Minister held bilateral talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. KNEISSL at the State Guest House Meghna. While Mr. Kamrul Ahsan, Secretary (Bilateral & Consular), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Abu Zafar, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to Austria and Mr. Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastagir, Director General (West Europe and EU) were part of Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s delegation at the talks, Austrian Foreign Minister was joined by Mrs. Brigitte ÖPPINGER-WALCHSHOFER, Austrian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ambassador Dr. Alexander MARSCHIK,  Director General at the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Gabriele MEON-TSCHÜRTZ, Minister Plenipotentiary, Director at the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs and Mr. Stephan HEISLER, Minister Plenipotentiary, Office of the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs.

During the talks, the two Foreign Ministers discussed various bilateral issues including cooperation between the two countries in vocational training, agriculture, e-learning and renewable energy sectors. Rohingya issue was discussed with due importance and Austria promised to do its part through the EU. Both sides expressed hope that the proposed Air Services Agreement would be concluded soon to establish direct air link between Dhaka and Vienna.

Foreign Minister Dr. Karin KNEISSL and her delegation are scheduled to call on the Hon’ble President at Bangabhaban in the evening and lay floral wreath at Saheed Minar in the first hour of Amar Ekushe.