Addis Ababa, March 30, 2024 (FBC) – The 54th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh was celebrated at Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa on Friday in attendance of Ambassadors of various countries, Ethiopian government officials and guests.
The celebration of the Independence and National Day was organized by Embassy of Bangladesh in Addis Ababa.
In his remarks at the commemorative event, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Sikder Bodiruzzaman, stated that: “In 1971 Father of the Nation Mujibur Rahman declared independence of Bangladesh. Rising from the ashes of the devastating war of liberation, today Bangladesh stands tall in the committee of nations as a responsible member. Bangladesh is now recognized as a developing country with a success story.”
Bangladesh, as a top troop contributor to the UN peacekeeping mission, has been playing its active role for peace and stability across the world, he noted.
Ambassador Sikder Bodiruzzaman remarked that Bangladesh and Ethiopia have similar aspirations and similar development challenges.
“Natural bond between our two peoples is a fertile ground for further cooperation in multifaceted areas. We are working for robust air connectivity as Ethiopian airlines is set to commence flight services between Addis Ababa Dhaka very soon,” he elaborated.
The commencement of the air transportation would help enhancing trade, investment and people to people ties between Ethiopia and Bangladesh, according to the Ambassador.
Ethiopia can benefit by tapping our huge domestic market and Bangladesh will explore investment opportunities in Ethiopia as well with help of the air connectivity, he said.
Bangladesh is committed to cement our ties with Ethiopia and the regional and international fora to combat global common challenges such as climate change, terrorism and pandemics, the Ambassador underscored.
Ambassador Gebeyehu Ganga, Director General of the Middle East, Assia and Pacific at the Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, for his part, said from its historic declaration of independence to its present status as a vibrant and diverse economy, Bangladesh has overcome numerous challenges and achieved significant social and economic progress.
Ambassador Gebeyehu reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh based on mutual benefit of our nations.
Our relationship has been flourishing in the multilateral sphere as the two countries share similar status in UN peacekeeping mission by contributing large number of troops for world’s peace and stability.
Ambassador Gebeyehu invited Bangladeshi companies to invest in garment and textile and pharmaceutical sectors in Ethiopia pledging all the necessary support from the government.
Ethiopia also wants to cement bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh in areas of digital economy, science and technology and human resource development spheres, Ambassador Gebeyehu added.
By Wondesen Aregahegn