Nahida Rahman Shumona, the non-resident Ambassador of Bangladesh to Albania, officially presented her credentials to His Excellency Mr. Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, on July 9, 2025. The formal ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace, marking the beginning of her diplomatic mission to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Shumona and President Begaj held a productive meeting where they explored a wide range of bilateral issues of mutual interest. The discussion focused on bolstering cooperation in areas such as migration, trade, culture, and education. President Begaj praised the dedication of Bangladeshi workers in Albania and encouraged the development of a formal bilateral agreement to streamline labor migration.
During her visit, Ambassador Shumona had a series of high-level meetings with key Albanian government and industry leaders to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs: The Ambassador met with Deputy Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Endrit Yzeiraj and the Director General of Bilateral Relations. Discussions centered on expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, and textiles. The Deputy Minister expressed admiration for Nobel laureate Professor Mohammad Yunus and his work, noting the existence of a “Yunus Centre” in Albania dedicated to social business. Both parties also discussed the importance of establishing legal channels for migration to reduce irregular migration and explored a potential agreement for Bangladeshi professionals and workers.
Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation: Ambassador Shumona held a fruitful meeting with Secretary General Mrs. Llambriola Misto. The two officials explored potential cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and tourism. The Secretary General expressed interest in providing an online platform and language courses for Bangladeshi nationals.
Other Key Engagements: Ambassador Shumona also met with the Director of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tirana. The meetings focused on sharing best practices in tourism marketing and encouraging business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, particularly in sectors like fresh produce, seafood, and handicrafts.
A significant part of the Ambassador’s visit was dedicated to fostering cultural and educational connections.
University and Academic Visits: Ambassador Shumona visited Tirana University, the University of Science Academy, and the University of Art Academy, meeting with rectors and professors to discuss student exchange programs and academic collaboration.
Cultural Diplomacy: The Ambassador paid a visit to the museum of acclaimed author Ismail Kadare, a gesture highlighting the importance of cultural exchange between Bangladesh and Albania.
Ambassador Shumona also made time to connect with members of the Bangladeshi community and students residing in Tirana. She listened to their experiences and advised them to continue to be hardworking and law-abiding citizens, thereby enhancing the positive image of Bangladesh in Albania.