Port Louis, 26 March 2025 : Bangladesh High Commission in Port Louis, Mauritius hosted a reception on the occasion of the 54^th Independence and National Day of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh with due festivity and enthusiasm on 26 March 2025 at Coral Azur Beach Resort. H.E. Mr. Zokey Ahad, High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh welcomed the guests.  His Excellency Dharambeer Gokhool, G.C.S.K., President of the Republic of Mauritius graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. His Excellency Mr. Jean Yvan Robert Hungley, G.O.S.K., Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius was the Guest of Honour.

The reception began with a toast to the President and people of Bangladesh proposed by H.E. the President of the Republic of Mauritius. In response, H.E. the High Commissioner proposed toast to the President and people of the Mauritius. National Anthems of Bangladesh and Mauritius were played according to the sequence of proposed toasts. Subsequently, the High Commissioner made a statement followed by performing an English song of Joan Baez of 1971 on Bangladesh. The ceremonial part of the event concluded with joining a cake jointly by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh and the President of the Republic of Mauritius.

 Bangladesh High Commissioner to Mauritius, H.E. Mr. Zokey Ahad, in his remarks, paid deepest tribute to the all martyrs and victims of the war, and the valiant freedom fighters of liberation war in1971, mothers, sisters, daughters who sacrificed their supreme dignity. He also paid deepest tribute to the all martyrs & survivors of the July-August Revolution of 2024 in Bangladesh and observed one minute silence. He congratulated the new government and newly formed cabinet of the Republic of Mauritius.  He mentioned that Bangladesh is in favour of establishment of freedom and rights of the people of Chagos, who are voicing for their just cause. He thanked Mauritius for its consistent support on the Rohingya issue.

High Commissioner elaborated on the attractive investment scenario that Bangladesh is offering now. He highlighted that Bangladesh is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and growing rapidly over a decade, is on its way to becoming the next Asian Tiger. He mentioned, government implemented more than 100 Economic Zones including private economic zone. There is an opportunity to establish private economic zone. In this regard, government provides all the supports including land and utilities. An exclusive zone for foreigner in Sabrang tourism park in Cox’s Bazar with 1000-acre area.

He thanked His Excellency Dharambeer Gokhool, G.C.S.K., President of the Republic of Mauritius for continued support to the Bangladeshi expatriates in Mauritius. He said Bangladeshi workers in Mauritius play a significant role in increasing Mauritius’s exports, as well as exchanging expertise and knowledge with Mauritian workers, pointing out that the government of Mauritius protects the rights of all workers within its borders. In his address, High Commissioner Mr. Ahad emphasized the enduring historical, political, and cultural bonds between the two nations. He wished, Mauritius-Bangladesh friendship and brotherhood live forever.

Approximately 300 guests including high dignitaries of host country, members of Cabinet & National Assembly of the Republic of Mauritius, members of diplomatic corps & International Organization, a large number of businessmen and chamber leaders, civil society members media personnel, members of Bangladesh community and members of officials and staffs of this High Commission attended the reception program. Bangladeshi folk songs were performed by the Bangladeshi expatriates in Mauritius. The guests were gifted Bangladeshi leather products and publications in attractive bags made of jute. The guests were entertained with a wide range of foods including traditional Bangladeshi cuisine which was widely appreciated. The reception program was widely covered in the Mauritian print and electronic media.