Bangladesh and Switzerland on Tuesday reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepen bilateral economic cooperation and create a more enabling environment for the businesses of both countries.

The two sides reiterated commitment to shared values - democracy, human rights, multilateralism, respect for international law and rules-based international order and exchanged views on their respective priorities, including the needs for stronger and sustained international attention for resolving the Rohingya crisis.

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With growing annual bilateral trade and a strong presence of Swiss investors in Bangladesh, both sides at the sixth round of biennial bilateral political consultations at the State Guest House Padma recognised economic partnership as the key pillar of Bangladesh-Switzerland bilateral relations.

Bangladesh emphasised the importance of continued preferential market access and increased Swiss investment.

Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East & West), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and Markus Leitner, Assistant Foreign Secretary and Head of the Asia Pacific Division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, led respective delegations during the consultations.

The meeting reviewed the full spectrum of long-standing and diverse bilateral relationship between the two countries and discussed avenues for further engagement across priority sectors, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussions covered a broad range of topics, including ways to further strengthen diplomatic relations, bilateral economic partnership, skills development, climate change, cooperation in health, and private sector collaboration in emerging areas including technology and ICT.

In addition, both sides discussed on strengthening cooperation in different multilateral forums, including cooperation at the UN and international Geneva, as well as current regional and global developments.

Later, Markus Leitner and the Swiss delegation paid a courtesy call on Shama Obaed Islam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.