Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This year marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Australia and Bangladesh. Australia was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh after Bangladesh became an independent country in 1971 and Gough Whitlam was the first Western leader and the only Australian Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh since its independence. Last Friday night in Adelaide the Bangladesh Jubo League held a community event marking the 50-year milestone.

In 1972 Bangladesh was a poverty-stricken country in turmoil after its liberation war and was relying heavily on international aid. Today it is a middle-ranking economic and military nation, with a population of around 168 million people.

Two-way annual trade between Australia and Bangladesh remains relatively low at around $2.6 billion per annum. With around 50,000 people from Bangladesh now living in Australia, as we mark the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two countries, we should seize the considerable opportunities and do much more to bolster trade between Australia and Bangladesh. For both countries there is much to be gained and considerable goodwill that should not be lost or wasted.