DHAKA, Feb 16, 2022 (BSS) - Mauritian Deputy Prime Minister Louis

Steven Obeegadoo has termed Bangladesh as 'Shining example of
socio-economic development' after observing its phenomenal advancement
over the last decade.

  Obeegadoo stated this while Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud Bin
Momen paid a courtesy call at his office in Port Louis in Mauritius, a
foreign ministry press release said here today.

  Highlighting the need for signing of MOU on tourism cooperation, the
Deputy Prime Minister said his government is ready to sign the
instrument during the visit of Bangladesh's foreign minister to
Mauritius this year.

  He also put emphasize on concluding all pending agreements, MOUs to
strengthen cooperation between the two friendly countries.

  Obeegadoo underscored that the tourism sector as tourism is the
economic life line of Mauritius and its economy was badly hit due to
the Covid-19 pandemic.

  In reply, emphasizing on concluding the air service agreement
between the two countries, Bangladesh foreign secretary stressed for
easy visa processing and direct air connectivity in order to promote
Mauritian tourism.

  Masud proposed to appoint an Honorary Consul in Bangladesh to ease
consular and visa processing or a Consular Officer from Mauritian
Embassy in New Delhi could visit Dhaka at a regular interval for visa
purposes or online visa facilities can be introduced.

  Masud held a separate meeting with Mauritian Labour, human resource
development & training, and Commerce and consumer protection minister
Soodesh Satkam Callichurn.

  The Mauritian labour minister assured that his government is
actively considering recruiting more Bangladeshi workers once Covid-19
situation improves.

  Emphasizing on commencing the negotiation soon Callichurn underlined
the importance of FTA, PTA between the two countries to promote trade
and investment.

  Masud also paid a courtesy call on the Mauritian information
technology, communication and innovation Darsanand Balgobin at his
office where he handed over a draft MOU on ICT cooperation between the
two countries.

  He highlighted that Bangladesh has around 600,000 free-lance IT
experts and Mauritius can tap the potential of Bangladeshi IT experts.

  Later, the foreign secretary visited CMT textile factory where he
interacted with Bangladeshi expatriates and inquired about their
experiences and welfare.