Dhaka: Bangladesh and Gambia today signed an agreement for exemption from visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders. Home Adviser Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) and visiting Gambian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Mamadou Tangara signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, both ministers evaluated the agreement as a ‘milestone’ for Bangladesh and Gambia relations and expressed their commitment to strengthening the relationship further in the days to come. At the signing ceremony, Jahangir Alam termed it a special moment for the two friendly nations, saying, “We are pleased to have taken this step, which reflects our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and collaboration.”
He further emphasized Bangladesh’s high regard for Gambia for its principled stance on the Rohingya issue and its unwavering solidarity with Bangladesh in international forums. “With the backing of the OIC, The Gambia’s leadership in seeking justice for the Rohingya at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has earned our deep appreciation,” he said.
Jahangir Alam highlighted the immense potential for collaboration in sectors such as readymade garments, food processing and packaging, IT and IT-enabled services, and pharmaceuticals between the two countries. “It is essential to translate the diplomatic goodwill into increased business-to-business interactions to unlock the full potential of our economic partnership,” he noted.
Addressing the function, the Gambian Foreign Minister stated that Gambia and Bangladesh have strong diplomatic ties, and the agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders marks a significant milestone in the relationship. Bangladesh currently has agreements with 30 countries on visa exemption, including China, Japan, South Korea, and various others across Asia, Europe, and South America.