Bangladesh yesterday signed an agreement with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) under which it would enjoy special facilities and immunities as enjoyed by other diplomatic missions.

Foreign Secretary Shamsher M Chowdhury signed the agreement on behalf of the government while Anthony Ronald Maryon Head of the delegation on behalf of IFRC at a simple ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The signing of the agreement will help facilitate its function con-

siderably, Chowdhury said after the ceremony.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Chairman Major General (retd) ZA Khan and Vice Chairman Prof Gazi Abdul Huq and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present on the occasion.

IFRC is operating in 174 countries all over the world but 48 countries including Bangladesh have signed such agreement.

IFRC began its work in Bangladesh in 1987 and has made laudable efforts in bringing emergency relief to the people at the time of natural disasters.