Bangladesh ambassador reiterates strong ties with Jordan, support for Palestinian cause

AMMAN — Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Jordan Noor Hilal Saifur Rahman on Sunday expressed his country’s deep appreciation for Jordan’s historic and ongoing support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

On Bangladesh’s National Day, Rahman reaffirmed his country’s strong support of the Hashemite Custodianship over Al Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites in Jerusalem, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He stressed that, like Jordan, Bangladesh firmly supports a just and lasting solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders.

The ambassador also recalled that Jordan was among the first Arab nations to recognise Bangladesh in October 1973, describing the move as a hopeful and natural beginning to bilateral relations. "Since then, ties have steadily grown, particularly in economic cooperation, with Bangladesh establishing a resident embassy in Amman in 1998," he added.

Rahman also highlighted the shared cultural values between the two countries and noted Bangladesh’s economic progress, citing a nominal GDP of around $480 billion and a purchasing power parity (PPP) value of $1.8 trillion. He said Bangladesh offers a large consumer market and a young, productive workforce, creating opportunities for greater cooperation with Jordan.

Bilateral trade reached around $120 million in 2023, with Jordan exporting goods worth about $58 million. Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments, contributes significantly to Jordan’s apparel sector through a skilled Bangladeshi workforce. 

Currently, an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 Bangladeshi expatriates, mostly women, are employed in Jordan’s garment industry.

Marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, Rahman reiterated Bangladesh’s unwavering diplomatic and moral support for the Palestinian cause, calling it a cornerstone of his country’s foreign policy. In this context, he strongly condemned the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza following the ceasefire agreement, describing them as a “blatant” violation of international law.

He called on the international community to take concrete action to stop further aggression and ensure full Israeli compliance with the ceasefire terms.