Kosovo Ambassador to Bangladesh Lulzim Pllana met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the foreign ministry today. Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, June 3, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed 
Islam today urged Kosovo to recruit more Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled 
workers, highlighting Bangladesh's demographic advantage and growing capacity 
to meet international labour market demands.

She made the call when Kosovo Ambassador to Bangladesh Lulzim Pllana paid a 
courtesy call on her at foreign ministry, said a foreign ministry's press 
release said here. 

During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including 
strengthening diplomatic relations, expanding trade and investment, enhancing 
cooperation in education, manpower, defence and migration, and deepening 
engagement in international organizations.

The state minister stressed the need to explore untapped potential in 
education, employment and migration cooperation and requested Kosovo to 
recruit more Bangladeshi workers in various sectors.

She noted that around 65 percent of Bangladesh's population is under the age 
of 35, making the country a sustainable source of skilled manpower for the 
global labour market.

Shama also urged the Kosovan side to facilitate the enrolment of more 
Bangladeshi students in universities in Kosovo through scholarships, 
fellowships and grants.

She further requested easier visa procedures for Bangladeshi nationals 
travelling for studies, employment, business, trade and investment, tourism, 
youth and sports exchanges, cultural activities and other people-to-people 
engagements.

The state minister emphasized expanding bilateral trade and called on Kosovo 
to import high-quality Bangladeshi products, including readymade garments, 
pharmaceuticals, furniture, plastic goods, ships, jute and leather products.

Highlighting Bangladesh's favourable investment climate, she invited Kosovan 
investors to explore opportunities in sectors such as apparel, leather, light 
engineering, agro-processing, petroleum, information and communication 
technology (ICT), renewable energy and waste management.

Recalling Bangladesh's contribution to peace and stability in Kosovo, Shama 
mentioned the role played by Bangladeshi peacekeepers under the United 
Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in 1999.

The Kosovan ambassador appreciated Bangladesh's contribution and proactive 
diplomatic engagement with Kosovo and expressed his country's readiness to 
further strengthen bilateral relations.

Describing Kosovo as a gateway to Europe and the Balkans, Ambassador Pllana 
said there is considerable scope for expanding cooperation with Bangladesh in 
trade, investment, education, student exchanges, manpower recruitment, 
infrastructure development, elderly care services, professional training, 
private-sector collaboration, youth and sports, business-to-business 
relations and people-to-people contacts.