IOC participants laud Bangladesh’s efforts for regional peace: Shahriar Alam

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Saturday said leaders of different countries who are participating in the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) here highly lauded Bangladesh’s progress and its continued efforts for establishing regional peace.

“We (Bangladesh) want to walk together with the countries in the region by resolving the issues through discussions and joint efforts,” he told the reporters.

The junior Minister was talking to journalists after three separate bilateral meetings with Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Assistant Minister of UAE on the sidelines of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in the capital.

During the conference, Alam said, Dhaka put emphasis on sharing good practices among the partner countries as Bangladesh seeks cooperation in the region.

Noting that Bangladesh has emerged as 35th largest economy in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, Dhaka seeks support from its partners in terms of extension of duty-free benefits till 2029.

Replying to a question, Alam said, Dhaka is looking into the agreements and signed joint communique with Japan during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit there so that follow up is done quickly on the targets.