October 5, 2023
DHAKA – Unlike in the past, foreign powers are now more interested in Bangladesh as this rapidly developing country has become a lucrative market for them, said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday.
Foreigners are coming here more than before as Bangladesh’s image and dignity have increased in the international arena, the foreign minister told reporters at the foreign ministry following his US and UK visits.
“As Bangladesh is developing, everyone is coming here to sell their products. Whoever comes here, wants to meet us. It didn’t happen in the past. They mainly come here to sell their products. And for that, they also create pressure. The US wants to sell its products, so do the UK, France, and the European Union,” he said.
Momen said Bangladesh has multifaceted relations with the US and the two countries routinely discuss issues like climate change, regulated migration, the Rohingya crisis and security issues.
The US thinks that Rohingya repatriation should happen, he said. However, if democracy is not established in Myanmar, Rohingya security will not be ensured.
“So, first they want restoration of democracy [in Myanmar] and skills training to the Rohingya. In the developed countries, they don’t have much clear idea about the repatriation issue,” he said, adding that Bangladesh can’t afford to keep so many refugees for long.