Bangladesh, Kosovo explore expanded labor migration cooperation

Dhaka: Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Bangladesh, Lulzim Pllana, paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on June 3 at the Ministry, where both sides underscored stronger cooperation in migration, manpower export, and skilled workforce development.

During the meeting, the two sides placed special emphasis on expanding labor mobility between the two countries, particularly in recruiting skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi workers for emerging sectors in Kosovo.

The State Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s demographic advantage, noting that around 65 percent of the population is under the age of 35, positioning the country as a strong and sustainable source of global manpower.

She urged Kosovo to recruit more Bangladeshi workers across key sectors, including infrastructure development, elderly care services, technical trades, and other professional occupations. She also stressed the need to facilitate structured labor migration pathways, visa processing, and training-to-employment linkages to ensure a steady flow of skilled human resources.

The State Minister further called for enhanced cooperation in education and skills development, including increased opportunities for Bangladeshi students in Kosovan universities through scholarships, fellowships, and grants. She also encouraged greater ease of mobility for Bangladeshi nationals in areas such as study, employment, business, and cultural exchange, with the aim of strengthening people-to-people connectivity.

Ambassador Pllana welcomed the proposals, noting that Kosovo could serve as a gateway to broader European and Balkan opportunities for Bangladeshi workers and professionals. He expressed interest in deeper collaboration in manpower recruitment, vocational training, and private sector partnerships, particularly in addressing Kosovo’s demand for skilled labor in construction, services, and caregiving sectors.

He also appreciated Bangladesh’s historical contribution to peacekeeping in Kosovo under the UN Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in 1999, describing it as a strong foundation for continued bilateral goodwill.

Both sides agreed that expanding cooperation in skilled migration, education exchange, and workforce mobility would significantly strengthen bilateral relations while creating new economic opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Europe.