Meta has expressed interest in opening an office in Dhaka and working closely with Bangladesh on e-commerce, online business, education and digital security, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said on Tuesday, local time. 

"We had a very productive meeting with Meta," Shama told reporters at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

She said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was scheduled to attend the meeting but could not join because of another engagement.

According to Shama, Meta is interested in establishing a focal point in Dhaka, citing Bangladesh's large Facebook user base.

"Bangladesh has more Facebook users than India," she said.

The meeting discussed Bangladesh's new Cyber Security Act and broader issues related to cybersecurity, she said.

Shama said Meta is also interested in supporting the expansion of e-commerce and online businesses in Bangladesh and working with the country's educational institutions.

The issue of digital harassment was also discussed, including how Meta could work with the government and relevant agencies to address such problems in the context of Bangladeshi society.

She said the meeting also covered the government's budget priorities, particularly its emphasis on e-commerce and technology in the first budget under PM’s leadership.

"These issues were appreciated by Meta, and they are very much interested in working closely with the Bangladesh team in the future," Shama said.

She added that Meta will review when and how it can establish an office in Dhaka.