President urges Australia to step up cooperation on fuel supplies

President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged Australia to increase cooperation in energy security, skilled worker migration, technical education, investment and economic partnership. He made the call yesterday at Bangabhaban, when Australian High Commissioner to Dhaka Ms. Susan Ryle paid him a courtesy visit. The President’s Press Secretary Mr. Md. Sarwar Alam gave this information to BSS.

During the meeting, the President asked for Australia’s help to diversify Bangladesh’s energy sources. He also proposed creating a chance to import LNG from Australia. He urged Australia to invest more in infrastructure, renewable energy, energy exploration, agro processing, medical technology, logistics and manufacturing.

The President hoped that the senior officials meeting and the TIFA meeting in Canberra in November will play an important role. He said they will help expand trade and investment between the two countries. He welcomed the chance for Bangladeshi professionals to migrate to Australia as skilled workers, especially in information technology, engineering and other technical fields.

The President also asked for Australia’s continued help in scholarship and academic exchange programmes. He asked for its help to set up a campus of the University of Canberra in Dhaka. At the meeting, the High Commissioner greeted President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on behalf of Australia’s Governor General Ms. Sam Mostyn AC. She also handed over a formal letter of good wishes, and the President thanked the Governor General for it.

The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary, Press Secretary and an Additional Secretary of the Foreign Ministry were present. Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Clinton Pobke was present on the Australian side.

In another matter, President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged more help for small, micro and medium entrepreneurs. He wants to raise their technical and management skills, build their skills and give them the policy support they need. He said this will raise overall productivity.

He made the call in a message yesterday on National Productivity Day 2026. He said small, micro and medium entrepreneurs, along with large industrialists, play an important part in creating jobs, building industry and driving the economy. He said that raising their ability can make the whole industrial base of the country stronger.

On this day, the President sent greetings and congratulations to all working people, entrepreneurs, professionals, technologists, researchers and everyone in the production and service sectors. He said he is happy to know that the National Productivity Organisation (NPO) under the Ministry of Industries is marking the day across the country.

On the same day, the President met a delegation of the MBA Association of Bangladesh (MAB) at Bangabhaban for a courtesy visit. He urged everyone to give up the culture of conflict and revenge and to build a climate of political understanding and coordination. He said the country cannot move ahead properly without political understanding.

The President said the association played an important role in the democratic change. It made people aware by giving true, research based facts against the lies of the fascist government. He said everyone must now come out of the political culture of blaming one another, harming rivals and harassing them with cases and lawsuits. He said all must work together for the good of the country.

The President said political foresight, tolerance and mutual understanding can move a country forward. He said professional bodies like MAB can help the country’s development by giving views and helpful advice on important issues. He also raised the point of involving the qualified and skilled members of the association in important institutions and development work of the country. He said this should match their experience and ability.