DHAKA, Oct 13, 2021 (BSS) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has highly
praised development journey of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina despite challenges posed by Covid pandemic.

   Vucic shared his deep appreciation while Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr.
AK Abdul Momen called on him on Monday at the Palace of Serbia on the
sideline of the ongoing NAM meeting in Belgrade, a foreign ministry press
release said here today.

   During the meeting, Dr. Momen mentioned cordial and traditionally close
relationship between Dhaka and Belgrade which is rooted in history.

   He specially touched on the personal friendship between Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and President of former Yugoslavia
Josip Broz Tito.

   Serbian President was enthused to learn that Bangladesh is currently
celebrating the Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh.

   Observing that Serbia's on-going and ambitious development programmes will
require vast human resources, Dr. Momen offered to recruit skilled and semi-
skilled workers including IT professional, electrician and plumber from
Bangladesh.

   Serbian President welcomed the offer and stressed devising an
institutional mechanism for collaboration in respect of labour and manpower
from Bangladesh.

   While underlining forging stronger trade and economic links between the
two friendly countries, Dr Momen urged Serbian investors to import from
Bangladesh and invest in the country utilizing excellent investment climate
offered by the government.

   The foreign minister sought support of the friendly countries like Serbia
in putting pressure on Myanmar junta for the volunteer, safe and sustained
repatriation of 1.2 million forcefully displaced Rohingyas sheltered in
Bangladesh.

   The Serbian president appreciated the generosity of Bangladesh in this
regard.

   Bangladesh foreign minister is currently attending the High Level
Commemorative Meeting to mark the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) in Belgrade which is being attended by over 40 Ministers and
representatives from around 70 countries.

   He is scheduled to meet a few other dignitaries during his current visit.