Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen extended a proposal for the establishment of a direct flight connection between Dhaka and Addis Ababa.
During a bilateral meeting held at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh on Friday in New York, he made such a proposal to the foreign policy adviser and minister to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia TayeEtski-Shilashi.
Dr. Momen emphasized the potential benefits of such a direct flight route, with the Ethiopian Prime Minister's foreign policy adviser expressing a serious consideration of the proposal on behalf of Addis Ababa.
During the meeting, discussions encompassed various topics of mutual interest. Dr. Momen showcased Bangladesh's remarkable socio-economic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He underscored the country's transformation from a food-shortage nation to one achieving self-sufficiency in food production, highlighting the potential for cooperation in agriculture through contract farming in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian minister commended Bangladesh's exceptional economic progress and expressed a keen interest in expanding cooperation across multiple sectors to strengthen bilateral relations. Dr. Momen emphasized Bangladesh's achievements in areas like agriculture, garments, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. He also noted the availability of a skilled IT workforce in Bangladesh, offering opportunities for Ethiopia to tap into this resource.
Additionally, Foreign Minister Momen highlighted Bangladesh's attractive return on investment compared to that from neighboring countries, urging Ethiopia to explore opportunities for increased investment and trade collaboration with Bangladesh.