https://arab.news/gceyf
- New agreement offers master degree-equivalent program for foreign service officials
- Dhaka, Muscat agree to strengthen bilateral cooperation during FMs meeting in New York
DHAKA: Bangladesh and Oman have signed an agreement to increase diplomatic cooperation following a meeting between their foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry said on Friday.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi signed a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic studies and training, which is expected to boost collaboration in capacity-building, training and exchange of expertise.
“Under this MoU, foreign service officials from both countries will get opportunities for academic training and education. This will offer a master degree-equivalent program for foreign service officials,” Mostofa Jamil Khan, West Asia director at the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Arab News.
“Oman (places great importance) on career diplomats for maintaining international relations. They are (more highly) trained … It will be a good thing for our foreign service officials. We hope that, in the coming days, this agreement will also expand for other civil service officials.”
During their meeting in New York, Hossain and his counterpart also “reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” according to the Bangladeshi foreign ministry.
Around 700,000 Bangladeshis live and work in Oman — one of the largest populations of Bangladeshi migrant workers abroad.
Bangladesh is optimistic about the new area of cooperation, which Khan said has the potential to further expand in the future.
“We hope that, in the first batch, we will be able to send 20 to 25 students to Oman. This is just the beginning, and there are opportunities to increase,” he said.
“In the long run, it will help our foreign service officials to have a better understanding (of) Oman, which will eventually boost the bilateral relationship.”