As a Non-Resident High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Zambia , The High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mr. Shah Ahmed Shafi, posted at the High Commission of Bangladesh in Pretoria presented his Letters of Credence to the President of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, on 2 April 2025.
t the event, High Commissioner Mr. Shah Ahmed Shafi delivered a speech on the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Zambia and its development. In his speech, he emphasized the recent economic development of Bangladesh and the vast potential for trade, commerce and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Zambia. He urged the Zambian President to promote Bangladeshi exports of ready-made garments and medicines and create employment opportunities for various types of professionals. He said that both countries would benefit from the establishment of Bangladeshi ready-made garment factories in Zambia, which would create large-scale employment opportunities for the Zambian people and enable them to acquire skills in this industry. On the other hand, if Bangladesh manufactures garments in Zambia, it will get duty-free access to the US market under AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act). The High Commissioner also emphasized on enhancing the connectivity between Bangladesh and Zambia and the closeness between the people of the two countries and requested the Zambian President to send a high-level business delegation from Zambia to Bangladesh within this year. Earlier, he met the Zambian Foreign Minister on 01 April 2025 and discussed the development of mutual relations and increasing trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Zambia.
In his address, the President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, said that Zambia highly values its bilateral and multilateral relations with the countries represented at the event and is keen to deepen cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. He further said that in line with Zambia’s foreign policy, based on the pillars of peace, security and stability on the one hand and economic diplomacy on the other, they are keen to work closely with the newly accredited High Commissioners and Ambassadors to further strengthen the ties between the countries represented at the event. Finally, he called on the High Commissioners and Ambassadors of countries that do not have embassies in Zambia to open embassies. He will welcome workers from Bangladesh who want to work in Zambia’s copper, iron and other metal mines. He also praised Bangladesh’s PVC plastic products and drew the attention of the Honorable High Commissioner to the need to export them to Zambia.