State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said Meta, the US-based multinational technology company that owns Facebook, has expressed interest in opening an office in Dhaka.

She made the disclosure at a press conference at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday (22 September), local time.

Shama Obaid said, “We had a very productive meeting with Meta today. The Honourable Prime Minister was scheduled to attend the meeting, but he could not join due to time constraints.”

She said discussions were held with Meta about opening an office in Dhaka.

“They are very interested. They want to establish the focal point in Dhaka,” she said.

The state minister said discussions were also held on Bangladesh’s Cyber Security Act (CSA). “Meta will cooperate with us in expanding e-commerce and online businesses,” she added.

The press conference was held to brief journalists on various activities on the first day of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s New York visit, including his participation in the opening ceremony of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.