Bangladesh–Mauritius relations

Bangladesh–Mauritius relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Mauritius.

Bangladesh-Mauritius relations

Bangladesh	Mauritius

History

The first account of a Bengali in Mauritius was in 1765 by the Mughal Empire diplomat I'tisam-ud-Din.[1][2] Following this, Mirza Abu Taleb Khan, who later visited Europe in the closing years of the 18th century, had noticed that Bengali sailors had settled in Maldives.[3]

Mauritius recognised Bangladesh's independence on February 20, 1972.[4]

High level visits

In 1978, former Mauritius Prime Minister Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam paid an official visit to Dhaka. Former foreign minister of Mauritius Jaya Krishna Cuttaree visited Dhaka in 2005.[5] In 2009, former Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni paid an official visit to Port Louis and held meetings with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Vice-Prime Minister Ramakrishna Sithanen, Minister for Finance and Economic Empowerment, Arvin Boolell, Foreign Minister, Jean Francois Chaumiere and Minister for Labour, International Relations and Employment Dharambeer Gokhool.[6]

Cooperation in education

Mauritius has sought Bangladesh's assistance in the education sector. Mauritius has requested Bangladesh to widen the access of Mauritian students who are intending to pursue higher studies in Bangladesh.[5]

Economic cooperation

Bangladesh and Mauritius have shown their interest to expand the bilateral economic activities between the two countries and have been taking necessary steps in this regard. In 2013, a 7-member Bangladeshi delegation led by former commerce minister G M Quader paid a visit to Mauritius to initiate talks on Preferential Trade Agreement with Mauritius. Bangladeshi garments and handicrafts are potential products in the Mauritian market. Mauritius is also a significant destination for manpower export of Bangladesh.[7] In 2005, Bangladesh has signed an MoU with Mauritius to formulise the existing cooperation in the field of manpower export to Mauritius.[5] Bangladesh also exports pharmaceutical medicine to Mauritius.[8]

Bangladeshi diaspora

As of 2013, there are about 10,000 Bangladeshi expatriates living in Mauritius.[7]

References

1. C.E. Buckland, Dictionary of Indian Biography, Haskell House Publishers Ltd, 1968, p.217
2. Kaiser Haq (2012). "I'tesamuddin, Mirza Sheikh". Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
3. Sirajul Islam (2012). "Diaspora". Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
4. Asian Recorder. 18. 1972. p. 5.
5. "Mauritius keen to recruit manpower from Bangladesh". The Independent. 15 March 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
6. "Mauritius lifts order against B'desh workers". Bdnews24.com. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
7. "Bangladesh plans Preferential Trade Agreement with Mauritius". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
8. Bachar, Sitesh Chandra. "Pharmaceutical Industry". Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.