Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said that his government would carry out vital labour reforms in an effort to attract more foreign investment in the country鈥檚 manufacturing sector.
He made the comments during a meeting with former British prime minister Theresa May on the sidelines of the COP-29 global climate conference in Azerbaijan鈥檚 capital Baku, according to a message.
鈥楾he labour issue is one of our top priorities and we want to resolve all labour issues,鈥� Yunus told her as they discussed Bangladesh鈥檚 recent developments.
Theresa May also expressed her desire to work on labour issues with Bangladesh. She also discussed the issue of human trafficking and migration with Bangladesh鈥檚 interim leader.
CA Yunus called for increased migration to Europe from Bangladesh through the legal channels, saying that it would cut risks and irregular migration and act as a deterrent against human trafficking.
The chief adviser presented a copy of the Art of Triumph, a book on graffiti and murals painted by Bangladeshi young people during the July-August revolution to Theresa May.
On the same day, Yunus met Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the same event.
Ilham Aliyev said that his country was keen to deepen ties with Bangladesh and take bilateral relationship to a new height.
鈥楢 high-level team of the Azerbaijani government will visit Bangladesh early next year in a move to sign a comprehensive arrangement deal with Dhaka,鈥� he said.
The Azerbaijan president said that his country was keen to invest in Bangladesh and was exploring the possibility of opening an embassy in Dhaka as both nations see increasing opportunities for trade, commerce, and international cooperation.
Aliyev also praised the student-led July August revolution, saying he has been following events in Bangladesh for months.
He congratulated Yunus for assuming the leadership of the interim government of Bangladesh and said that Bangladesh would grow and prosper under his leadership.
鈥榊our task is very challenging. But I know you are the one who can face the challenge,鈥� he told Yunus.
Professor Yunus said that both nations could prosper if there were increased bilateral trade, people-to-people interactions, and cooperation in major international forums.
He also stressed job opportunities for more Bangladeshis in the oil-rich central Asian nations.
Hundreds of Bangladeshis have found jobs in the shipbuilding industry in the country in recent years.
President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan had fought corruption through the digitalisation of its services. He expressed his interest in sharing their digitalisation experiences with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Lu Alckmin, wife of vice-president of Brazil Geraldo Alckmin, called on professor Yunus at the venue of the COP-29 global climate same day.
During the meeting they discussed issues of mutual interests.
The Brazilian second lady handed over a book she wrote on the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate to him.
Alckmin said that she has translated the book written by Yunus and launched social business in her country after being inspired after reading the book.
Prof Yunus stressed the need for increased trade and cooperation between Bangladesh and largest Latin economy Brazil.
Special envoy to the chief adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, senior secretary and principal coordinator of SDG affairs Lamiya Morshed, and Bangladesh ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan M Anamul Haq were present.