Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The Iraq government has proposed Bangladesh government to establish direct air connectivity between Dhaka and Baghdad.
Iraqi Ambassador to Bangladesh Shakir Qasem Mahdi Al submitted the proposal of starting direct Dhaka-Baghdad flight to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon by paying him a call on at the secretariat in the capital Dhaka on Sunday.
During the meeting, the minister discussed various matters related to aspect of Dhaka-Baghdad direct air connectivity.
Iraqi airlines is keen to start direct Dhaka-Baghdad flight and Bangladesh Biman can also start its operation on the route, the ambassador said, adding that the direct air connectivity will reduce the labour migration cost from Bangladesh to Iraq.
The ambassador apprised the minister that an agreement on air operation was signed between Bangladesh and Iraq in 1988. Direct air flight can be operated between Dhaka and Baghdad under the agreement, he added.
The minister assured the ambassador that he will take necessary steps to establish direct flight between Bangladesh and Iraq.
Menon urged the ambassador to take initiatives so that Iraq government will recruit more manpower from Bangladesh who can contribute a lot to the ongoing rebuilding process of Iraq.
The minister expressed his satisfaction over the excellent bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and hoped
that it will further increase in the days to come.
The Iraqi envoy said the doors of Iraq are open to welcome Bangladeshi manpower. "Presently on an average 200 Bangladeshi
workers are going to Iraq daily. The number will be increased gradually.”
BBN/SSR/AD-16Mar14-11:55 pm (BST)