Bangladesh, Davao City to Build Strong Relations thru Sister-City Pact, Economic Partnership

The establishment of a sister-city agreement between Khulna and Davao, as well as potential partnerships in investments, and trade are among the chief discussions during the courtesy visit of the new Bangladesh Ambassador to Mayor-Elect Sebastian Duterte on June 06.

H. E. Ambassador F.M. Borhan Uddin expressed interest in establishing sister-city’s pact between Khulna and Davao and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Embassy and the City Government of Davao to further collaborations in the fields of business, tourism, among others.

Ambassador Uddin also shared the recent developments in Bangladesh including its rise as the second highest importer of textiles in the world, next to China, as well as agriculture and economic progresses that Bangladesh has witnessed over the years.

The diplomat sees Davao City and the Philippines as a potential trade partner, as well as people-to-people exchanges and relevant collaborations, saying that it is his aim to introduce Bangladesh to the Filipinos as he also learns more about them.

Mayor-Elect Duterte agreed to the recommendations of the ambassador saying that Davao City is open to any possible partnerships with the Embassy, as well as in forging a sister-city pact with Khulna.

The Mayor-Elect added that everyone from Bangladesh is very much welcome to Davao City and wishes to visit Bangladesh soon.

The courtesy visit was facilitated by DCIPC and was also attended by First Secretary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sayma Razzaki, Honorary Consul General of Bangladesh – Mindanao, Ms. Joji Iligan-Bian, and Executive Assistant Consul General of the Bangladesh Consulate-Mindanao, Mr. Joel N. Botoy.

Also in attendance was Chairperson-Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on International Relation, Hon. Augusto Javier G. Campos III and Ms. April Marie Dayap, of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center.