Switzerland sees “massive potential” in expanding trade and investment ties with Bangladesh, along with close collaboration on knowledge partnerships.
“Trade and investment is a domain that has gradually picked up. We want to focus more (in this area) with Bangladesh,” said Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard, sharing three elements crucial in the future relationship with Bangladesh.
Apart from trade and investment, the Swiss envoy mentioned two other elements - development and sustainability; and global challenges and multilateralism.
While delivering her keynote speech at Cosmos Dialogue held virtually, she described how both the two countries can continue partnering together towards a better future, and innovation, where her country is a leader.
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Switzerland Relations: Prognosis for the Future” as part of its ongoing Ambassador's Lecture Series.
Read: Cosmos Dialogue on Bangladesh-Switzerland relations to be premiered Wednesday
The opening remarks were delivered by Cosmos Foundation Executive Director Nahar Khan.
The session was chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, a renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government.
Former Managing Director & CEO of Mutual Trust Bank Limited Anis A. Khan, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Fahmida Khatun and Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation Ambassador (Retd) Tariq A Karim comprised the panel of discussants.
Describing the ever growing relationship between Bangladesh and Switzerland, Nahar Khan said Switzerland remains one of most steadfast friends of Bangladesh on the international stage, too.
Over the last five decades, she said, bilateral relations between the two countries have grown broader and deeper, including on economic and international cooperation, humanitarian aid, as well as cultural and political exchanges.