Cape town: Bangladesh has inaugurated its honorary consulate in Cape Town, South Africa, to enhance services for expatriates and deepen bilateral trade and business engagement in the region. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to South Africa Shah Ahmed Shafi participated in the soft opening ceremony of the new consulate.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Western Cape Province is home to the second largest Bangladeshi diaspora community in South Africa. The establishment of the consulate is a significant move toward expanding consular outreach and support services for Bangladeshi nationals residing in the region.
The Bangladesh government has appointed Johan Max le Roux, a prominent businessman, as the honorary consul for the Western Cape region. This decision was made in October 2025, acknowledging his longstanding business relations with Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary Siam also visited South Africa to lead the Bangladesh delegation at the 6th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and South Africa, signaling the country’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with the region.