Bangladesh plans to open office in Kurdistan

Bangladesh is planning to open a representation office in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil in the near future. Bangladesh Ambassador to Iraq Abu Maqsoud Forhad told the Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government Nechirvan Barzani in a meeting, reports the Rudaw. In a meeting, Forhad said Bangladesh was going to open the office in order to boost Erbil-Dhaka relations in all fields and to help the Bangladeshis working in the region. According to a statement from the Kurdish PM’s office, both the sides discussed the situation of Bangladeshi workers in Kurdistan in the meeting. The Bangladeshi ambassador also thanked the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for providing job opportunities to a large number of Bangladeshi workers. Prime Minister Barzani said they would provide all the facilities to improve running Bangladeshi affairs working in the Region and those seeking jobs. He also sought to increase bilateral ties. Bangladesh established a mission in Iraq in 1973 and re-opened its embassy in January of 2010, according to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh mostly exports garments and knitwear and its top export partners include the US, Germany and the UK. As the Kurdistan Region heads towards a September 25 vote on independence, there are more than 30 consulates, six honorary consulates, and six foreign trade offices in Erbil.