ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Bangladesh plans to open a representation office in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil in the near future, the Bangladesh Ambassador to Iraq told the prime minister of the Kurdish government.
In a meeting with Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, the Bangladesh Ambassador to Iraq Abu Maqsoud Forhad said they were going to open an office in the Kurdistan Region, in order to boost Erbil-Dhaka relations in all fields, according to a statement from the PM’s office.
In the meeting both sides discussed the situation of Bangladeshi workers in the Region and Forhad reportedly said the opening of the consulate would facilitate the affairs of their working nationals in the Region.
The statement said Forhad offered his appreciation to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for providing job opportunities to a large number of Bangladeshi workers.
Forhad also expressed his amazement with developments in the Region, notably Erbil.
For his part, Barzani said the KRG would provide all the facilities to improve running Bangladeshi affairs working in the Region and those seeking jobs.
Barzani also sought to increase bilateral ties.
Forhad was appointed as his country’s Ambassador to Iraq in May 2016. He has an MA from the University of Dhaka and has previously served in the government in finance, civil aviation and tourism, among other postings.
Bangladesh established a mission in Iraq in 1973 and re-opened its embassy in January of 2010, according to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The country has a population of more than 156 million people with 89 percent of its citizens being Muslim and 10 percent Hindu, according to the CIA Factbook.
Its major exports include garments and knitwear, while cotton and machinery are its major imports. Its top export partners include the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom, while China and India are its major import partners.
As the Kurdistan Region heads towards a September 25 vote on independence, there are more than 30 consulates, six honorary consulates, and six foreign trade offices in Erbil.
Clarification: A previous version of this story stated Bangladesh plans to open a consulate in Erbil. This has been changed to "representation office."
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