Photo : Collected
A high-powered delegation led by Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali is currently visiting Vienna, Austria to attend the 25th anniversary meeting of the OPEC Fund for private sector operation on Tuesday (24 June).
State Minister of Finance Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Austria Asad Alam Siam, and Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mirana Mahrukh accompanied him during the visit.
On the sideline of the programme he also met the President of the OPEC Fund Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa.
A fruitful discussion was held between them, according to a press release.
The Finance Minister thanked the OPEC Fund for its contribution to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh by providing US $693.61 million in favour of 32 projects.
He thanked it for helping Bangladesh during the crying time of COVID-19 by providing budget support.
Mahmood Ali also acknowledged the OPEC Fund’s initiative in supporting Bangladesh's private sector.
He urged the Fund to provide more support in building a part of “Smart Bangladesh”.
In response, the President of the OPEC Fund said that he is amazed by the recent development of Bangladesh.
As a trusted development partner, he assured that the OPEC Fund will surely increase its development support for Bangladesh.
Dr Abdulhamid accepted the idea of having a Framework Agreement given by Mahmood Ali and mentioned that OPEC will sign the Framework Agreement for 3-5 years to have wider cooperation.
Messenger/Sourov
