Letter of Credence and Recall

H.E. Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada presented his Credentials as the non-resident High Commissioner to Republic of Trinidad & Tobago to Her Excellency Paula -Mae Weekes, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces at the Presidential Palace in Port of Spain in the morning of 8 November 2022. 

Prior to the presentation of the Credentials in the morning of 8 November 2022, H.E., the High Commissioner-designate first met with Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and presented the true copy of the Letters of Credence and Recall as the part of ceremonial procedure. He also met with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Foreign and CARICOM Affairs at this time. Subsequently, the Chief of Protocol accompanied H.E., the High Commissioner by the designated vehicle and departed for the President Office from the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs with a decorated horse escort of the security personnel. The Protocol Officer of the President Office greeted him along with his spouse and ushered them to the waiting hall of the President Office. Afterwards, they met the President and presented the letters of Credence and Recall. After the presentation of the credentials, a guard of honour was given to H.E., the High Commissioner prior to his departure from the President Office. 

After the presentation of credentials, a bilateral discussion was held with the President at his office. The President of Trinidad and Tobago recalled the official visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to the Port of Spain in 2009 during the Commonwealth Summit. She profusely praised dynamic and visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the extraordinary ongoing development and economic progress during her tenure. She also praised her leadership in enabling Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC to the middle-income country.

H.E., the High Commissioner thanked the President for her time to accept his Letter of Credence and emphasized on the importance of close ties between Bangladesh and Trinidad and Tobago in areas of mutual interest. He indicated that there are huge opportunities for the diversification and increase of bilateral trade and investment in the sectors such as agriculture, information and communications technology and shipping between the two countries.

He also emphasized on the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries for holding the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) to expand the political and economic cooperation. It is expecting that the said MoU could be concluded during the next visit of H.E., the High Commissioner to Port of Spain or virtually as soon as legal wing of Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs would finalize itafter due examination.

He further mentioned that cooperation in energy sector and climate change issues could be of mutual benefits for both the countries. H.E., the High Commissioner also requested continuing support of Trinidad and Tobago for repatriation and resettlement of 1.3 million Rohingyas now sheltered in Bangladesh.

H.E., the High Commissioner extended an invitation to her to undertake an official visit to Bangladesh which could be set up at a mutually convenient date and time in near future. ThePresident gladly accepted the invitation warmly and expressed to arrange a visit at a mutually convenient date and time in the days ahead. She also mentioned that she would be pleased to meet a leader like the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whom she holds in high esteem. H.E., the High Commissioner also attended a dinner hosted by the President of Trinidad and Tobago.

After the presentation of Credentials, H.E., the High Commissioner also met Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Trinidad and Tobago to discuss about strengthening trade and investment relations between the two countries. Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry specifically mentioned about import of green and pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh. It was agreed that the two countries would consider signing a MoU on Trade and Investment. She requested for a draft MoU from Bangladesh. The High Commission is preparing a draft MoU that would be shared with MoFA and the Ministry of Commerce for approval.

​H.E., the High Commissioner also met the representative of the Chambers of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago as well as some importers from Trinidad and Tobago especially those who are importing RMG and leather and pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh. They presented some difficulties in importing from Bangladesh and requested the High Commissioner to look into it to smoothen the imports from Bangladesh. It was revealed by the importers that the current import from Bangladesh of just over USD 2 million can be increased to USD 4 million in next two years if these difficulties are removed. Based on the meeting, H.E., the High Commissioner has already contacted some reputed RMG factories and Leather Industries, including APEX and Presidents of the Association of Leather and Pharmaceutical Industries and got necessary brochures and videos of the Bangladeshi products. They also assured him that the imports from Bangladesh can also be used for the whole Caribbean Region and CARICOM.

​During the visit, H.E., the High Commissioner also took the opportunity to meet the expatriate Bangladeshis living in Trinidad and Tobago especially, in its capital Port of Spain and listened to them about how they can be supported and consular services can be provided to them.