DHAKA: Munir M Merali, The Aga Khan Development Network's (AKDN) Resident Representative to Bangladesh presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thursday.
In accepting his credentials, the Foreign Minister welcomed the AKDN Representative to Bangladesh and wished him success in his responsibilities as the Network’s first Diplomatic Resident Representative to the country.
The Minister also conveyed his appreciation and thanked Aga Khan for his continued support towards the institutional development of the country.
After the presentation of diplomatic credentials both Minister Mahmood Ali and Representative Merali expressed a common desire to build upon the strong and historic relations between the government and the Network and towards developing an enhanced working relationship which serves to benefit all the people of Bangladesh.
During the meeting, Representative Merali highly appreciated various achievements made in socio economic development and ongoing pace of development activities in Bangladesh. He offered collaborations from all the AKDN missions.
Mahmood Ali also apprised him of the advancements made by the country in information technology, education, health, women empowerment and other sectors.
A seasoned entrepreneur and diplomat, Representative Merali has worked in challenging operating environments across Central and South Asia promoting innovative, sustainable models of partnerships and investments in both the public and private sectors.
Prior to this appointment, Representative Merali concluded a successful seven-year tenure as the AKDN’s Resident Representative to the Republic of Tajikistan.
This tenure preceded a five-year term where he served as the CEO of Aga Khan Foundation-Pakistan, based in Islamabad.
Born in Tanzania, Representative Merali is a Canadian citizen with a residence in Geneva, Switzerland. He holds an MBA from the University of Toronto, and an MPA from Harvard-Kennedy School of Government, and recently completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
BDST: 1325 HRS, JUL 10, 2014
