Bangladesh–New Zealand relations
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Bangladesh–New Zealand relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and New Zealand.
High level visits
Former Health Minister of Bangladesh, Dr Ruhal Haque paid an official visit to Wellington in August 2009.[1] In 2014, special envoy to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Sir Jim Bolger paid an official four day visit to Dhaka.[2]
Educational cooperation
Bangladesh and New Zealand have been cooperating each other in the education sector. Every year a number of Bangladeshi undergraduate and graduate students are granted scholarships to study in New Zealand.[3]
Economic cooperation
Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and New Zealand has been growing steadily. New Zealand has become one of the new markets for the Bangladeshi shipbuilding industry when the Government of New Zealand signed a deal with Western Marine Shipyard in 2013 to build an oceangoing vessel that would operate between Tokelau and Samoa Islands. When built, it would be the first Bangladeshi-made ship for the Pacific.[4] The deal, however, raised some controversies as the New Zealand government chose a foreign firm over the local shipyards.[5] Other Bangladeshi exports to New Zealand include woven and woolen garments, jute products etc. The bilateral trade is largely on New Zealand's favor. In 2011, the bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to almost US$200 million, of which, a little over $150 million were New Zealand's export to Bangladesh. New Zealand's export items are largely dominated by dairy products.[1]
References
- ^ a b "People's Republic of Bangladesh". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "New Zealand seeks Bangladesh support". New Age. Dhaka. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "NZ to increase scholarships for B'deshi students". The Financial Express. Dhaka. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "Western Marine secures contract to build vessel for New Zealand". The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "Made in Bangladesh". Bdnews24.com. Retrieved 18 April 2014.