Gambiaj.com – (Dhaka, Bangladesh) – Bangladesh and The Gambia have taken a significant step in bolstering their diplomatic relations by signing an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders. The agreement was signed on Thursday by Bangladesh’s Home Adviser, Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.), and The Gambia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Mamadou Tangara.

Describing the agreement as a “milestone” in bilateral relations, both ministers expressed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the two nations. At the signing ceremony, Lt. Gen. Chowdhury highlighted the importance of the deal, stating, “We are pleased to have taken this step, which reflects our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and collaboration.”

He also acknowledged The Gambia’s strong stance on the Rohingya issue, expressing deep appreciation for its leadership in seeking justice at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with the backing of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Beyond diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh and The Gambia see immense potential for economic collaboration in sectors such as readymade garments, food processing and packaging, IT services, and pharmaceuticals. “It is essential to translate the diplomatic goodwill into increased business-to-business interactions to unlock the full potential of our economic partnership,” the Bangladeshi Home Adviser emphasized.

The visa exemption agreement marks a new chapter in relations between the two nations, facilitating closer engagement between officials and opening avenues for further collaboration. Bangladesh currently has similar visa exemption agreements with 30 countries, including China, Japan, Turkey, Russia, and Brazil.