Staff Correspondent

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today received credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors-designate of Sweden and People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria at subsequent two state ceremonies at the Bangabhaban here.

The resident ambassadors are: Dr Abdelouahab Saidani of Algeria and Nicolas Linus Ragnar Weeks of Sweden.

Welcoming the new ambassadors, the President said Bangladesh's bilateral ties with its friendly countries like Sweden and Algeria are very excellent, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS later.

During the meeting with Swedish ambassador, the President said Sweden has been a trusted development partner of Bangladesh for the last five decades.

In addition to socio-economic development, he said Sweden is playing an important role in contributing to improve living standard of the poor, particularly women and children and promoting gender equality.

Expressing satisfaction with the ties exist between Bangladesh and Sweden, the President said there are immense prospects of cooperation between the two friendly countries in trade and investment as well as in many promising sectors including IT, green transition, renewable energy and waste-to-energy, blue economy, maritime and food-processing.

President Shahabuddin requested Sweden government to take initiative to increase educational opportunities for the Bangladeshi students and researchers in Sweden.

In addition, President Shahabuddin hoped that Sweden as an important member of the European Union, will contribute to international peace, security and human rights, sustainable development and climate issues.

On the Rohingya repatriation issue, he thanked the Swedish government for it's humanitarian support to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh and appreciated Sweden’s persistent commitment towards a durable solution of the crisis.

Meanwhile, during the meeting with the Algerian ambassador, the President also proposed Algeria to consider importing world standard Bangladeshi products such as textile, jute, pharmaceuticals, food and electronics.

Highlighting the vast potentials for expanding bilateral trade and economic ties, the Head of the State requested exploring LPG or LNG supply from Algeria to Bangladesh on mutually favourable terms to support sustained growth.

In the days to come, the existing relations among the countries will be strengthened and the scope of trade will also boosted, the President hoped.

Both the ambassadors sought full cooperation of the President during their official assignments in Bangladesh in future.

Earlier, on their arrival at Bangabhaban, they were accorded a 'guard of honour' by the horse-mounted contingent of the President Guard Regiment (PGR).

Bangabhaban secretaries concerned were present on the occasion.