Online Desk: High Commissioner of New Zealand to Bangladesh (resident in New Delhi) David Pine on Wednesday said the new government of New Zealand (NZ) has identified the South Asian region to increase its engagement in future.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the High Commissioner also said the government of New Zealand is going to shift the accreditation of its non-resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh from New Delhi to Colombo from next month which will enable him to closely work with Bangladesh from Colombo in different sectors.

The envoy showed interest of NZ to import mangoes from Bangladesh and informed that the Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh is working on it.

The Foreign Minister welcomed High Commissioner Pine and acknowledged New Zealand as one of the few first countries that recognised Bangladesh soon after the independence in 1971.

He thanked New Zealand for providing duty free market access to Bangladesh since 2001.

The Foreign Minister said there is potential of expanding the existing bilateral trade of US$ 513 by diversifying the export basket.

He suggested that New Zealand may think of investing in Bangladesh’s livestock sector for milk and dairy products, IT and agriculture sector.

The Foreign Minister emphasised on the IT sector where NZ can invest and reexport the products to widen the trade volume.

High Commissioner Pine appreciated the rise of Bangladesh economy which is doing well now a days.

He expressed his satisfaction to see how Bangladesh has bounced back from covid stronger than any other country in the world.

The Foreign Minister said repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar may not be possible without joint international pressure.

As a friendly country, Bangladesh seeks New Zealand’s solid support for international accountability for repatriation, he said.

The two sides also highlighted the importance of high-level visits to boost the existing bilateral relations.

High Commissioner Pine invited the Foreign Minister to visit New Zealand at a convenient time this year.