Outcome of H.E. the High Commissioner Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury's official visit to New South Wales
Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra | Press Release (29 September 2009)
New South Wales (NSW) Government agrees to extend support to set up TAFE Institution in Bangladesh and explore opportunities to recruit doctors from Bangladesh
Mr. Michael Coutts-Trotter, Director General of the Department of Education and Training and Managing Director of TAFE, NSW assured H.E. the High Commissioner Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury that the Government of NSW is willing to cooperate the Government of Bangladesh in setting up Training Institutions for up-skilling manpower of Bangladesh in a meeting held today in Sydney. This was conveyed in response to the request from the High Commissioner to extend necessary support by TAFE, NSW to establish similar model of Technical and Vocational Institutions in Bangladesh. The High Commissioner has paid an official visit to NSW from 28-29 September 2009 and met key dignitaries and officials during the visit.
The High Commissioner also met with the senior officials of the Department of Health of NSW Government on 28 September 2009 where the possibility of recruitment of doctors and nurses from Bangladesh was discussed. The Senior Officials of the Health Department assured to look into the issue. They agreed to work with the Government of Bangladesh in different health issues in Bangladesh.
H.E. the High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on the Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of NSW Hon Justice James Spigelman AC on 29 September 2009 at the Supreme Court of NSW. Issues of mutual interests were discussed in the meeting. The Chief Justice praised the Government of Bangladesh for its ongoing reform in judicial sector and mentioned that two judges from NSW participated in a seminar held in Dhaka recently. He assured to extend support to the judiciary of Bangladesh in this effort. In the meeting Mrs. Jasmin Masud, wife of High Commissioner, Mr. Anthony Khouri, Honorary Consul General of Bangladesh in Sydney and Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Counsellor of Bangladesh High Commission were also present.
In the meeting with the NSW Business Chamber on 28 September issues of enhancing export from Bangladesh to Australia, particularly export of jute products, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and leather products and promotion of investment from Australia to Bangladesh were discussed. Mr. M. Azharul Huq, Commercial Counsellor briefed the meeting about export products from Bangladesh and investment incentives given by Bangladesh which is one of the best investment climate in South Asia. In response, Ms. Paula Martin, General Manager of NSW Business Chamber assured the High Commissioner to extend all necessary cooperation to Bangladesh in this regard.
Later on 28 September the High Commissioner met Chairperson of the Community Relations Commission Dr. Stepan Kerkyasharian AM and discussed issues related to enhancing multiculturalism among the Bangladesh origin Australians. Dr. Kerkyasharian praised the role of Bangladesh origin community members in NSW in promoting diversity and harmony among different religious and ethnic communities. He assured to extend his support to the Bangladeshi community to take further initiatives in this endeavour. The Commissioner also handed over a report prepared by his Commission on removing barriers for the recruitment of nurses from overseas in NSW.
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H.E. the High Commissioner attended a luncheon meeting hosted by Dr. Richard Sheldrake, Director General of Department of Industry and Investment at the Parliament House of NSW on 29 September and discussed issues of mutual interests. The High Commissioner also met Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Health of NSW Mrs. Jillian Skinner, MP on the day at the Parliament House and discussed issues of mutual cooperation including issues on doctors’ recruitment from Bangladesh and training for nurses. She assured her support on those issues.
Later on the day High Commissioner met Vice Chancellor of University of Sydney Dr. Michael Spence and Pro Vice Chancellor of University of New South Wales Dr. Jennie Lang where credit transfer and exchange programme between these Universities and Bangladesh Universities were discussed. Both Universities agreed to explore these opportunities.
Mr. Michael Harkins, Director of Protocol and Hospitality and Ms. Tina Lange, Protocol Officer of the Department of Premier and Cabinet of NSW extended protocol assistance to the High Commissioner and coordinated all meetings.
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