On Tuesday, Bangladesh’s new non-resident High Commissioner to Seychelles Dr. Zokey Ahad, presented his credentials to Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan at the State House in Victoria. Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, July 23, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh has expressed keen interest in further strengthening its ties with Seychelles, with a focus on trade, investment, blue economy cooperation, and expanding labour opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in the African island nation.

The commitment came as Bangladesh’s new non-resident High Commissioner to Seychelles Dr. Zokey Ahad, presented his credentials to Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan at the State House in Victoria on Tuesday, said a foreign ministry release here today.

President Ramkalawan warmly welcomed Dr. Ahad, conveying his good wishes to the President and Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, and lauded the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Seychelles. 

He expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and extended condolences over the Monday’s tragic Bangladesh Air Force aircraft crash in Dhaka.

During the meeting, Dr. Ahad conveyed greetings from the President of Bangladesh and expressed gratitude to the Seychelles government for its warm reception and cooperation since his arrival. 

He assured of his best efforts to enhance the existing ties and promote bilateral cooperation to a new level.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s achievements in RMG, pharmaceuticals, jute, leather, and other industrial sectors, the High Commissioner expressed hope for exploring new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.

Dr. Ahad appreciated Seychelles for employing Bangladeshi workers in its industries and agriculture sectors and emphasized the potential for expanding recruitment of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled manpower from Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh seeks to develop its blue economy sector, Dr. Ahad expressed interest in learning from Seychelles’ experience and expertise in the field to foster cooperation.

The High Commissioner extended an invitation from the President of Bangladesh to President Ramkalawan to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

President Ramkalawan acknowledged Bangladesh’s visible development strides and expressed interest in sharing Bangladesh’s experiences to support Seychelles’ growth.

During the ceremony, senior officials from the Seychelles State House and Foreign Ministry, and Md. Jahangir Alam, First Secretary (Political) & HOC of the Bangladesh Mission, were present. A guard of honour was presented in honour of the High Commissioner.

On the same day, Dr. Ahad paid courtesy calls on Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif and Minister for Employment and Social Affairs Patricia Francourt. 

The meetings discussed the full spectrum of Bangladesh-Seychelles bilateral relations, high-level exchanges, labour recruitment, and ways to deepen cooperation in employment and social affairs.