The inauguration of two new missions—a consulate in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and a High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand—within the next three months will allow Bangladesh to increase its diplomatic presence.
“We have received financial approval, and both missions will be operational within three months,” Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told BSS here.
According to him, the required human resources are being allocated to staff the missions.
The action is a part of the interim government’s strategic drive to expand consular services and fortify bilateral ties for Bangladeshis living overseas, especially migrant workers who contribute significantly to the country’s economy through remittances.
In order to better serve Malaysia’s sizable migrant labor in the area, Hossain also disclosed that plans are underway to open a second consulate in Penang.
The Ministry of Public Administration has already authorized six additional embassies and consulates in different nations in addition to these efforts. Funding for these missions has not yet been approved by the finance division, though.
“Previously, the finance was not approved. We have resubmitted the proposals. While it may not be feasible to launch all six at once, we hope the most urgent ones to get priority,” said the adviser.
Among the proposed missions, a consulate in Guangzhou, China, and a full-fledged embassy in Ireland are considered top priorities due to their strategic, economic, and diaspora relevance.
“We will try to convince the Finance Adviser to approve these (two missions) immediately so that they can be opened by next year,” Hossain said, noting that the remaining missions may be rolled out in phases depending on budgetary clearance.
The Bangladeshi community in New Zealand, numbering several thousand including over 1,000 students, has long relied on consular services from Bangladesh’s mission in Canberra, Australia.
The opening of a High Commission in Wellington will bring essential consular services closer to the community and strengthen Bangladesh’s presence among the 72 countries including India and Pakistan that already maintain missions in New Zealand.
Likewise, the new consulate in Johor Bahru will supplement the services currently offered by the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and its passport centre, extending support to migrant workers in southern Malaysia.
Officials familiar with the matter said the diplomatic expansion is aligned with Bangladesh’s evolving foreign policy, which emphasizes economic diplomacy, labour migration management, and people-centric services for expatriates.
