Montenegro may recruit more than 50,000 skilled workers annually from Bangladesh under government-to-government arrangements to meet labour demand in several sectors, visiting Montenegrin parliamentarian Gordan Stojovic has said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at her office, according to a Foreign Ministry press release.
Stojovic said Montenegro requires more than 50,000 workers annually and responded positively to the possibility of recruiting Bangladeshi workers under government-to-government agreements.
He identified tourism, construction, hospitality and medical care as sectors where Bangladeshi workers could find employment opportunities.
Shama Obaed said the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was working to expand legal migration opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers.
She said Bangladesh has a large pool of skilled manpower, including IT professionals, engineers, construction workers and healthcare personnel.
Both sides stressed the need to streamline work permit procedures and labour mobility arrangements to facilitate the employment of Bangladeshi workers in Montenegro.
They also discussed strengthening bilateral relations and forming a Bangladesh-Montenegro Parliamentary Friendship Group to expand parliamentary ties, promote parliamentary diplomacy, facilitate exchange visits and strengthen people-to-people contacts.
The two sides identified scope for expanding bilateral trade through product diversification and removal of existing obstacles.
Stojovic said Montenegro, being an importing country, could source products from Bangladesh beyond ready-made garments. He identified pharmaceuticals, leather and leather goods, ceramics, and jute and jute products as potential Bangladeshi exports.
Shama highlighted investment opportunities in Bangladesh in agriculture, agro-food processing, seafood, eco-tourism, ready-made garments, renewable energy and waste management.
The Montenegrin parliamentarian expressed interest in investment opportunities, particularly in renewable energy, and offered cooperation in developing Bangladesh’s tourism sector, citing Montenegro’s experience in the industry.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in education, women’s empowerment, sports and culture, manpower, employment, human mobility and migration, visa facilitation and closer engagement in international organisations.
They exchanged views on global issues, including climate change, and stressed greater use of Montenegro’s regional connectivity to explore untapped opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation.
