Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard has said any estimate on deposits of Bangladeshi money in the Swiss banks is “purely speculative” and no conclusion can be drawn on the basis of media and other reports.    “Switzerland is not a safe haven for corrupt money,” she said adding “When it comes to the Bangladeshi money deposited in the Swiss banks - the deposits meant by individuals …represent only one aspect of various sources of public and private funds.” The Swiss envoy said … no conclusion can be drawn on the volumes of private deposits from Bangladeshi customers in Switzerland on the basis of these reports of the Swiss National Bank. She made the remarks while responding to a volley of questions on the issue at DCAB Talk on Wednesday. The briefing began by observing one-minute silence to pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members who were brutally assassinated on August 15 in 1975.  Read:Switzerland a serious global player, reliable partner of Bangladesh: Ambassador Chuard DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event held at Jatiya Press Club (JPC). Bangladeshi media outlets reported that funds parked by Bangladeshi nationals and entities in all the Swiss banks swelled by 54 per cent to around CHF (Swiss Franc) 871 million (Tk 83.18 billion) in the last calendar year.  The amount was around CHF 563 million in 2020. Responding to a question on information exchange on the issue, she said Switzerland is really committed to implementing international standards. In accordance with these international standards they can have some specific regulations and agreements also with the country to exchange this type of information, she said. “So that something should be developed,” said the ambassador, adding that they have been providing to the government all the information regarding how to reach an agreement on these matters but no request has been submitted regarding any particular funding. On the statistics, the Swiss envoy said, money of the individuals that is placed, for instance, in Swiss banks - not just in Switzerland but in the Swiss banks worldwide - has recently been decreasing. She said they certainly do not encourage capital flight and the Swiss bank system is the most renowned and internationally connected system.  At all the financial centers, the envoy said, there is always a risk of abuse but Switzerland really takes steps to mitigate its risk as fast as possible.

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.

Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, will host a dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Switzerland Relations: Prognosis for the Future” that will be premiered on social media on Wednesday evening (7pm).   Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard will deliver the keynote speech at the virtual dialogue highlighting the beginning of the relationship, how did the two countries get from there to 50-year long journey and what the future could hold for the bilateral relations. Also read:Noted artists celebrate Spring at ‘The Passion of Drawing’ by Gallery Cosmos The dialogue is part of Cosmos Foundation’s ongoing Ambassador's Lecture Series. Cosmos Foundation Executive Director Nahar Khan will deliver the opening remarks at the dialogue. The session will be 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 will comprise the panel of discussants. Also read: Cosmos-Atelier 71 hosts Artist Residency Programme Cosmos-Atelier 71 hosts Artist Residency Programme The year 2022 is seen as very special for both Bangladesh and Switzerland as they celebrate 50 years of their bilateral ties. Switzerland considers this (50 years ties) as an important milestone and it marks their “solid and long-standing” partnership and it is a key moment of their journey together.