I am pleased to announce that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, will visit Australia from 18 to 22 October.

Australia was amongst the very first countries to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh in 1971. We are both members of the Commonwealth.

Australia and Bangladesh have cooperated on development issues since Bangladesh’s inception. Many Bangladeshis are studying in our universities and colleges. Bilateral trade has trebled over the last four years to $332 million annually. There are good opportunities now for both Australian and Bangladesh exporters to expand their markets in each other’s country and to strengthen our investment linkages. Of course our two countries also share a love of cricket.

I look forward to Sheikh Hasina’s visit as an opportunity to enhance Australia’s ties with Bangladesh and to discuss current regional issues.

15 October 1999