Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Sunday met Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and their discussion placed particular emphasis on AFD-supported flagship initiatives, including the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant project.

This major infrastructure initiative, co-financed by international partners, is designed to ensure a sustainable and environmentally sound water supply system for Dhaka.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to provide safe drinking water to millions of residents while significantly reducing reliance on depleting groundwater resources, said the Embassy in Dhaka after the meeting.

At the meeting, both sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

France currently stands as one of the largest bilateral development partners in Bangladesh’s local government sector, with commitments amounting to approximately €690 million in ongoing and planned projects.

They discussed the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-III project, also a flagship initiative, co-financed by European Investment Bank, France, Germany and Denmark, which aims to increase water treatment capacity for Dhaka residents.

The Ambassador also shared insights on France’s continued engagement with Bangladesh’s new government, emphasising readiness to deepen cooperation across sectors such as climate adaptation, urban development, and public service delivery.

He congratulated the Minister and reaffirmed France’s strong commitment to Bangladesh’s development journey, particularly in the areas of urban infrastructure, water supply, and sustainable development.

The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding engagement of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), a key partner in supporting Bangladesh’s LGRD sector.

He expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties through increased collaboration, technical expertise, and investment.