President Mohammed Shahabuddin today received credentials of the newly appointed envoys to Bangladesh from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Egypt and Vatican City at separate ceremonies at Bangabhaban here.

The newly appointed resident envoys are – High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Ahmed Maroof, Egyptian Ambassador Omar Mohie Eldin Ahmed Fahmy and Apostolic Nuncio of Vatican City Kevin Randal.

Welcoming the envoys to Bangladesh, the President said Bangladesh’s foreign policy attaches importance to bilateral and friendly relations with all countries, President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told BSS after the meetings.

The President said in the last one and a half decades, the country has made great progress in various sectors, including communication, infrastructural development, women empowerment and Information & Communication Technology (ICT).

The Head of the State said Bangladesh is now a role model for women’s empowerment and development in the world.

Referring to the active cooperation of the people, the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the cooperation of friendly countries, he said all together are contributing positively to this development.

The new envoys would make every effort to enhance bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh on various issues including trade and investment, the President hoped.

During the meetings, the envoys appreciated the various socio-economic developments in Bangladesh, including the women empowerment.

They expressed their conviction to work for the development of existing relations of their respective countries with Bangladesh.

The President assured the envoys of providing necessary cooperation as they sought the President’s full cooperation in their work.

President’s Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (attached) Md Wahidul Islam Khan and senior officials of the foreign ministry were present.

Earlier, on their arrival at Bangabhaban, a horse-mounted contingent of the Presidential Guard Regiment (PGR) gave a ‘guard of honour’ to the envoys as a part of the ceremony.

-BSS.