Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Dhaka

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has come to Bangladesh on a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral relations.

She was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka by retired Rear Admiral Khurshed Alam, secretary of the Maritime Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry around 11:30am on Tuesday (May 21). Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia Allama Siddiqui was with him.

Penny Wong will hold a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at state guest house Padma at 5:00pm.

Highlighting the various aspects of his visit to Bangladesh in a statement on Monday, Penny Wong said, “I will be visiting Bangladesh and Singapore this week to advance Australia's interests in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region. I am delighted to make my first visit to Bangladesh at this time of increasing Australia's engagement in the Indian Ocean region.”

She said, "There is good communication between the people of Australia and Bangladesh. More than 50,000 people from Bangladesh live in Australia."

Regarding Penny Wong's visit, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday said, “Among bilateral issues, especially Australian investment in Bangladesh, migration of Bangladeshis, seasonal employment, welfare of expatriates there, cooperation in energy and environmental conservation will dominate the discussion with the Australian foreign minister.”

In addition to meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Australian Foreign Minister will also visit the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar during his visit.