26 February 2016 – A delegation from the Philippines led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Q. Del Rosario took a trip to Dhaka from February 18 to 19 as part of its Philippine Education and Tourism Roadshow that kicked off in Sri Lanka and India on February 14. During the visit, the delegation held talks with representatives from government, educational and medical institutions on exploring possibilities for cooperation initiatives and institutional partnerships between the Philippines and Bangladesh in the education and tourism sectors. 

Taking the opportunity of the group’s visit to Bangladesh, the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka organized a meeting of the delegation with the Bangladesh business community represented by the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Bangladesh Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BPCCI) at a private dinner on February 18 and a simple gathering with the Filipino community on February 19.

Advancing on the visit of the members of the FBCCI and BPCCI to Manila in October 2015 where they called on Undersecretary Del Rosario to discuss promotion of trade and investment between the Philippines and Bangladesh, this meeting between the Philippine delegation and the Bangladesh business groups in Dhaka marked a significant progress in their efforts to furthering economic relations between their two countries.  Plans of conducting more exchange of visits of business groups to the Philippines and Bangladesh for joint ventures and local product trading were discussed during the dinner.

BPCCI President Rashed Maksud Khan presented a token of appreciation to Undersecretary Del Rosario for her visit to Dhaka and for the time given to meet with them.  The reception was concluded with a photo opportunity.

To share with the Filipino community the developments in the Philippine government’s thrust to promote Philippine culture and trade globally and to keep them informed of the Philippine Embassy’s programs and activities, the Embassy hosted a Merienda-Cena in honor of the Philippine delegation held at the Ascott Palace Hotel on February 19. The gathering was organized to serve as a venue for dialogue between the Filipino community and the Philippine delegation.   

In her remarks, Undersecretary Del Rosario expressed her high regard for overseas Filipino workers who have greatly contributed to supporting the Philippine government in building the international community’s confidence in the Philippines through their exhibit of professionalism in their respective fields of work.

Everyone at the gathering had the chance to introduce themselves to the delegation and renew acquaintances with other members of the Filipino community.  Philippine Honorary Consul to Chittagong Mr. Mohammad Awwal and his wife, Khaleda Awwal were also at the function.  The Philippine delegation was scheduled to depart for Manila on the same day.  END