Official Australia Day Reception in Dhaka
The Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr. Justin Lee hosted an official reception at his residence on 21 January 2010 to mark the forthcoming Australia Day.
The honorable Minister for Planning Air Vice Marshal (rtd) A K Khandker was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Other distinguished guests included Ministers, Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Members of Parliament, senior officials of the Bangladesh Government, heads of other foreign missions, and business, media and community leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lee expressed deep appreciation for the friendship and assistance from the Government and people of Bangladesh to all Australians in this country.
Dr Lee noted Australia and Bangladesh relations were strengthening with closer people-to-people, trade and development ties. He looked forward to continuing to work with Bangladesh bilaterally and in regional and multilateral fora and taking the relationship to new heights in 2010.
Minister Khandaker expressed his congratulations on behalf of the Bangladesh Government to Australia on its national day. He emphasised bilateral relations were strengthening with the landmark signing of an MoU on counter-terrorism cooperation recently and Australia becoming one of the most preferred destinations for higher education for Bangladeshis.
The Minister welcomed Australia’s scholarships for Bangladeshi students, duty and quota free access for Bangladeshi products and development cooperation. He looked forward to further cooperation on issues such as climate change.
Australia Day officially falls on 26 January and allows Australians across the world to celebrate the nation’s achievements and values and recognize our friendship and cooperation with partners overseas.
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
22 January 2010
For further information please contact:
Senior Research and Communications Officer, AHC, Dhaka.
Tel: 8813105, E-mail: [email protected]