Bangladesh and Switzerland on Monday discussed ways to further expand bilateral trade and investment, including increased Swiss investment in promising sectors of the Bangladesh economy.

Both sides recognised economic partnership as a key pillar of Bangladesh-Switzerland bilateral relations.

Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Reto Renggli paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They agreed to pursue practical measures to enhance technical and vocational skills development opportunities for Bangladesh’s workforce.

The Ambassador congratulated the State Minister on his assumption of office and expressed confidence that the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Switzerland would be further strengthened.

The State Minister also underscored the importance of regular exchanges in strengthening political, cultural and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Switzerland.

The Ambassador of Switzerland hoped that operationalisation of the new Embassy of Bangladesh in Bern could facilitate in strengthening existing bilateral relations in depth and dimension, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to shared values, including democracy, human rights, multilateralism, respect for international law and rules-based international order.

They reiterated their commitment to working together in multi-lateral fora to uphold these values.

Appreciating Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting a large number of Rohingyas, the Ambassador reaffirmed Switzerland’s continued support for their voluntary, safe and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar and Switzerland’s commitment to supporting international efforts towards a durable solution to the crisis.