Bangladesh seeks warmer bilateral relations, economic ties with Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani hosted the newly-appointed ambassador of Bangladesh to Iraq in Erbil on Saturday.

Mohammed Fazlulbari, the new Bangladeshi ambassador to Iraq, told Rudaw their country is looking to improve bilateral relations as well as cooperation in the area of trade and commerce, adding that “the KRG is a very important reason for promoting trade and commerce.”

“The first and primary objective is to improve bilateral relations between the two countries,” Fazlulbari said. “There is a necessity for high-level visits… both in the government and in the business communities.”

The two countries have historically had very good relations, with Iraq being one of the first nations to support the independence of Bangladesh, according to Fazlulbari.

When asked about facilities in the region, Ambassador Fazlulbari said that they do not yet have any offices, but plans are in the works.

“We have a plan to open an honorary consulate here,” Fazlulbari said, but he explained that the Bangladeshi government was more interested in a permanent one.