Switzerland
World Economic Forum invites PM Hasina to attend its annual meeting in Switzerland
Congratulating Prime Minister Sheikh, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Professor Klaus Schwab, has said he is confident that under her leadership, Bangladesh will be able to fully realize its economic potential and become a developed country by 2041.
“The bold reforms taken forward under your leadership have helped raise Bangladesh’s economic and social standing,” Schwab said in a message to PM Hasina.
Canada disappointed that Bangladesh’s electoral process has ‘fallen short of’ democratic principles
“The World Economic Forum looks forward to working closely with you and your government to support in achieving its full growth potential,” he said.
He also invited PM Hasina to the 54th World Economic Forum annual meeting, which will take place in Davos-Klisters, Switzerland, from January 15 to 19, 2024 under the theme, “Rebuilding Trust.”
Will continue to work with government of Bangladesh on priorities that characterise longstanding relations: EU
As usual, over 100 governments, all major international organizations, the 1000 most important global companies, relevant civil society and academic institutions, as well as the global media will interact at the highest level.
“I truly look forward to engaging you in this effort and, hopefully, to welcoming you in Davos,” he said, wishing her every success in her new leadership role.
New Bangladesh Ambassador Rezina Ahmed presents credentials to Portuguese president
“On behalf of the World Economic Forum, please accept my congratulations on leading your party to a historic win in the 12th National Elections. I wish you and your colleagues every success for the new tenure,” Schwab said.
Make a mini Switzerland in Bangladesh, PM Hasina urges Swiss investors
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (October 23, 2023) urged Swiss entrepreneurs to make investments in Bangladesh to create a mini Switzerland in the South Asian country.
Swiss businesses can invest in Bangladesh in the special economic zones (SEZs), she said, adding "We will provide lands (in SEZs) and they can make a mini Switzerland here,” she said.
The premier made this call when Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Siegfried Renggli paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Read: Some Western powers seek to install a puppet government in Bangladesh: PM Hasina tells ALPP meeting
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on.
In response the ambassador said Swiss companies are interested to invest in Bangladesh, said the press secretary.
The envoy said the volume of trade between Bangladesh and Switzerland should be increased.
He said he will continue to work for further strengthening the bilateral relations and cooperation.
The envoy appreciated the economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of PM Hasina in the last one decade.
Read: All enjoy equal religious rights in Bangladesh: PM Hasina tells Hindus celebrating Durga Puja
He said that Switzerland would work together with Bangladesh to fight the adverse impact of climate change.
PM Hasina said the focus of her government is on the development of rural people of Bangladesh. “The backbone of development is middle class people,” she added.
“We are taking many programmes to reduce the extreme poverty rate to zero, at least to one percent,” she added.
The prime minister mentioned that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a vision to “make Bangladesh as the Switzerland of the East”.
She recalled that she was with Bangabandhu when he visited Switzerland at the invitation of Swiss government after undergoing surgery in London.
Read: PM mourns death of Patuakhali-1 MP Md Shahjahan Mia
Talking about connectivity, she said Bangladesh can be a bridge between the East and the West. So, the government is now developing the airports to this end.
"We look forward to transforming Bangladesh-Switzerland bilateral relations into a broad-based partnership," she said.The prime minister assured the ambassador of extending all cooperation in discharging his duty in Dhaka.
The Swiss envoy handed over the copy of a letter to Sheikh Hasina, which Bangabandhu sent to the Switzerland government in replying to Swiss recognition to Bangladesh as an independent country.
Receiving the letter, the prime minister said that the letter will be displayed in the museum.
PM's Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah And Deputy Head of Swiss Mission in Bangladesh Corinne Henchoz Pignani were present.
PM takes regular commercial flight on the way home from Geneva, exchanges pleasantries with passengers
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (June 17, 2023) surprised passengers of a regular commercial flight of the state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
On her way back home from Geneva, she roamed around the fight and exchanged pleasantries with the passengers.
Also Read: PM returns home from Switzerland
Passengers on the fully packed commercial flight of Biman were pleasantly surprised when she went to their seats and asked about their wellbeing.
“Many of them were surprised and astonished having their Prime Minister just beside their seats on the flight,” PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam told UNB.
Sheikh Hasina, elder daughter of the Father of the Nation, also obliged their requests for photographs.
Also Read: Next general election to be held in time: PM Hasina tells Geneva reception
She spoke to children with great affection and took several of them on her lap.
Some of the passengers expressed their opinions to the Prime Minister on various issues, including development of the country in the last 14 and a half years.
Also Read: Bangladesh’s economy has a dignified position now: PM
PM returns home from Switzerland
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has returned home from Geneva, wrapping up her three-day official visit to Switzerland.
A regular flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Saturday (June 17 at 1:55 am).
Earlier, the flight took off from Geneva International Airport at 11:50am local time (3:50pm Bangladesh time) on Friday.
The Prime Minister exchanged pleasentaries with the passengers in the flight and inquired about their well-beings.
Read: PM leaves Geneva for home ending 3-day visit
The PM went to Geneva on June 13 to attend the "World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All" held on June 14 and 15 in the Swiss city.
She addressed the plenary session of 'World of Work Summit 2023' at Palais de Nations on Wednesday.
The ILO's summit is a high-level forum for global voices to address the need for increased, coordinated and coherent action in support of social justice.
The summit brought together over a dozen heads of state and government, high-level representatives from the United Nations, other international organizations, and employers’ and workers’ organizations.
Read: Next general election to be held in time: PM Hasina tells Geneva reception
Hasina also had two separate meetings with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and President of Malta Dr George Vella.
Besides, she held meetings separately with UNHCR chief Flippo Grandi, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset and Director General of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo there on the day.
After the meeting with Swiss President Berset, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Knowledge and Skills enhancement between Bangladesh and Switzerland was signed.
In the evening, the PM attended a dinner with high level dignitaries hosted by the ILO Director General at its headquarters.
Read: WTO chief meets PM Hasina, wants Dhaka to reduce subsidies on fisheries
On June 15, she joined “A talk at the WEF”, followed by a meeting with WEF founder Prof Klaus Schwab at WEF Office.
She also addressed an event on “New Economy and Society in Smart Bangladesh” organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) there.
Besides, Qatar Minister of Labour Dr Ali Bin Samik Al Marri and WTO Director General Dr Okonjo-Iweala separately met her at her place of residence.
Hasina also attended a civic reception in the evening.
Read more: PM takes regular commercial flight on the way home from Geneva, exchanges pleasantries with passengers
PM Hasina leaves for Geneva to attend World of Work Summit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday (June 13, 2023) morning to attend the two-day "World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All" to be held in the Swiss city on June 14-15.
A commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10.01 am. The flight is scheduled to land at Geneva International airport at 5:30 pm local time (9:30 pm Bangladesh Time).
On June 14, UNHCR chief Flippo Grandi will call on the prime minister at the bilateral room of Hotel President Wilson.
Later the PM will call on President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset at Palais de Nations. After the call-on there will be a possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Knowledge and Skills enhancement between Bangladesh and Switzerland.
Read: Work together to sustain national development: PM Hasina tells Awami League members
In the afternoon, the prime minister will address the Plenary of 'World of Work Summit 2023' at Palais de Nations.
On her arrival there, she will be greeted by ADG and Regional Director of ILO.
There will be a red carpet reception and Guard of Honour from the gate to the meeting venue.
She will also have a call on with President of Malta Dr. George Vella.
Read: PM Hasina wants greater cooperation between Bangladesh and Indian armies
In the evening, the PM will attend a dinner with high level dignitaries hosted by the DG ILO at its headquarters.
On June 15, she will attend the 'A talk at the WEF', followed by a meeting with founder of WEF Prof Klaus Schwab at WEF Office.
There, she will address at the event on "New Economy and Society in Smart Bangladesh" organised by the World Economic Forum.
In the evening, WTO DG Dr. Okonjo- Iweala will call on her at Hotel President Wilson. She will also attend a community event in the evening.
Read: Volatile global situation likely to worsen further: PM Hasina tells parliament
Hasina will leave Geneva at 11am on June 16 and she is expected to arrive in Dhaka in the early hours of June 17.
"The World of Work Summit 2023: Social Justice for All" is a high-level forum for global voices to address the need for increased, coordinated and coherent action in support of social justice, according to organisers.
It will provide an opportunity to discuss and inform the proposal to forge a Global Coalition for Social Justice, which was welcomed by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office at its 347th Session.
A number of high-level guests, including former President of France, Francois Hollande, former President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, as well as representatives of employers and workers, will address the conference.
Read: President Erdogan and PM Hasina vow to take Dhaka-Ankara ties to new height
Foreign Secretary hosts farewell lunch for outgoing Swiss envoy
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen hosted a farewell luncheon in honour of outgoing Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard on Tuesday at State guesthouse Padma.
Prior to the luncheon, the outgoing Swiss ambassador paid a farewell call on the foreign secretary.
Both sides also exchanged views on the issues of Rohingya crisis, Ukraine war, etc. and hoped that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Switzerland will continue to get stronger in the coming days.
Ambassador Masud Bin Momen congratulated Nathalie Chuard on her successful tenure in Bangladesh and appreciated her efforts and contributions in strengthening Bangladesh-Switzerland bilateral relations.
Read more: Masud Bin Momen bids farewell to Doraiswami
Referring to the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Switzerland in 1972 and his vision to make Bangladesh as the “Switzerland of the East”, foreign secretary thanked the Swiss government for playing an integral role as a very important development partner in the spectacular socio-economic development journey of Bangladesh.
The outgoing ambassador of Switzerland expressed satisfaction at the Swiss development cooperation to Bangladesh over the last five decades and the growing bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Switzerland to work with all Bangladeshi stakeholders for a ‘smooth, inclusive, sustainable’ LDC graduation
Outgoing Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard has said that as a “solid and agile” development partner, Switzerland will work with all stakeholders in Bangladesh and its multifaceted cooperation will take on crucial issues to make the latter’s graduation from least-developed status “smooth, inclusive and sustainable”.
“The country is now at a crossroads with the upcoming graduation from the LDCs group. Switzerland welcomes this exciting development,” she told UNB in an exclusive interview.
Nonetheless, the ambassador said, this graduation carries with it both opportunities and challenges, and it will be essential to prepare for post-graduation scenarios – leaving no one behind, addressing structural issues and making the private sector more competitive.
“Being a country vulnerable to climate change, managing climate and disaster risks is another pressing challenge,” she said.
Read more: Switzerland will continue to be a reliable partner for Bangladesh: Nathalie Chuard
Evaluating the bilateral relations today, the Swiss envoy said 50 years is quite a long time but it is also only the beginning.
“Since the birth of your nation, we have grown a solid, diversified and robust partnership. This relation has evolved, and I am really glad when I see where we are today and also where we are heading,” she said.
During the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral ties last year, Ambassador Chuard said they were able to showcase the scope and diversity of the partnership.
“We launched our new Bangladesh Country Program that is aligned on the objectives of the Agenda 2030 and aims at supporting your country’s development for the years to come,” she said, adding that they danced to the songs of “Nodi Rocks”, an initiative for the youth to raise awareness on climate change and protecting rivers through music.
Read more: Switzerland a serious global player, reliable partner of Bangladesh: Ambassador Chuard
Together with other partners, the envoy said, they held exhibitions in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar to underscore the significance of humanitarian principles.
“For the first time, our bilateral trade also crossed the significant milestone of US $1 billion in 2022. I think all these aspects show how diverse and multifaceted our relations have become. While I look back, I am really proud of what we have accomplished together, and looking forward to the next steps of our common journey,” she said.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Chuard said Bangladesh is a beautiful country, boasting a colourful and vibrant society always full of energy.
“I have been lucky enough to travel widely throughout Bangladesh – from the chars in Gaibandha to the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Sundarbans. Far away from Dhaka’s hustle and bustle, experiences such as a motorbike ride in a far-flung Char has surely given me another perspective of this country, and I have loved doing it! The people here are amazing and exceptionally resilient.”
Read more: Swiss Ambassador Chuard sees “massive potential” to boost trade, investment with Bangladesh
She also said, “Whether we talk about climate change or economic development, Bangladesh is everything from the chars, the agriculture to the busy ports or urban centers and its readymade garment factories, and it has been important for me to experience it firsthand. It is about the diversity of your country. It is also in all these fields, and many more, that Switzerland has worked with Bangladesh on its journey.”
Wherever she has been, Ambassador Chuard said, she has always felt welcome. “What maybe has impressed me the most are the women and the role they have played in the country's socioeconomic advancement.”
Switzerland has also supported numerous projects towards women’s empowerment and participation, including in the political arena, Chuard said.
On that note, the ambassador mentioned that Bangladesh is preparing for its next national election, expected to be held in January 2024.
Read More: Newly appointed Bangladesh envoy Sufiur presents credentials to Swiss president, seeks better relations
“We call on all stakeholders, including political parties, to uphold and ensure citizens’ voting rights and I hope that these elections will be free, fair and credible. This is an important signal for Bangladesh and its citizens,” she said.
The ambassador said the two countries are working on an air service agreement and one MoU regarding knowledge partnership.
“While these are still under negotiation, I am confident that these agreements will pave the way for broadening the horizon of our future relations,” she said.
The Swiss envoy said, “I find that there is another positive development and it is related to the area of exchanging banking information.”
Read More: Switzerland, UNDP sign deal to promote peaceful, inclusive societies for sustainable development
Switzerland is one of the world’s leading financial centers, they have made substantial contributions to international standards, and are committed to their effective enforcement.
“My country has been very dedicated to continue cooperating with Bangladesh on this topic in accordance with globally recognized procedures. In this regard, I am encouraged by the discussions that have taken place, following our proposals to tackle illicit financial flows,” Ambassador Chuard said.
GLOBAL CRISIS AND DIPLOMACY
Asked whether diplomacy is always effective in solving major global issues like the Rohingya crisis, the Swiss envoy said, “Obviously, as a career diplomat, I strongly believe in diplomacy… There is no doubt that solutions are found in diplomacy.”
To prevent conflict, she said, all parties need to talk together in order to find solutions and common ground. “Diplomacy is a highly powerful and effective tool for nations and stakeholders to communicate and develop mutually accepted solutions.”
Read More: Info Exchange: Bangladesh, Switzerland to discuss ways to develop mechanism
The ambassador said the world is facing numerous crises at the same time, and people are very worried and affected in various ways.
“With the recovery from the pandemic, the aggression against Ukraine and the omnipresent climate change, none of us really knows how it will play out,” she said.
“If there is one thing that these global challenges have taught us, it is the importance of reaching consensus, defending a rules-based order, pushing for global peace and prosperity and strengthening multilateralism. Diplomacy and bringing stakeholders together are more important than ever, particularly for countries like Bangladesh and Switzerland,” Chuard said.
Since the first of January and for the next two years, Switzerland is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Read More: Switzerland keen to work with Bangladesh to increase farmers’ socio-economic resilience against climatic risks
“Our entry to this important UN body stems from my country’s strong affinity for multilateralism and willingness to play its role to stand up for a just and peaceful international order,” she said.
The membership to the UN body is also a great opportunity to collaborate closely with Bangladesh on vital global peace, security and development challenges, Chuard said.
“For my country, it is very important that the Rohingya crisis is not forgotten and that a lasting and sustainable solution is found. And until the conditions for the return of the refugees are met, we will continue to stand next to Bangladesh to support the response to the crisis,” said the envoy.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Chuard said diplomacy is a continuous process and requires not only skills but also convictions.
Read More: Nagad, Swisscontact team up to enhance financial inclusion of RMG workers
“It is a means to an end rather than an end in itself. One must remain persistent and continue working on pending topics and challenges. And if someone tells you that diplomacy does not work, that means that we should try harder,” she said.
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Switzerland is an “effective, innovative and committed” development partner of Bangladesh and development cooperation has traditionally been a foundation of the bilateral ties, the ambassador said.
Over the last five decades, Switzerland has supported Bangladesh with over $1 billion in development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
“The modalities of our cooperation with Bangladesh have evolved over time and our current ongoing cooperation programme aims to assist the sustainable graduation of Bangladesh from the LDC group, develop a more prosperous, just and resilient society, and foster peaceful coexistence,” she added.
Read More: Switzerland keen to invest in Bangladesh’s disaster-prone areas
“Switzerland will invest around Tk 1450 crore to implement this program by 2025. In close partnership with all stakeholders, our program complements the support for more trade and direct foreign investment with the promotion of the Swiss key values of good governance and respect of human rights to ensure sustainability, including for economic growth,” said Ambassador Chuard.
ECONOMIC COOPERATION
The Swiss envoy said economic cooperation has become another strong pillar of the bilateral relations between the two countries.
“Since my arrival in 2020, I have observed the great potential and a shared goal with our counterparts here to increase trade and investment between our countries,” she said, adding that the situation seems promising, taking into account the trend over the last period.
The bilateral trade crossed the landmark $1 billion threshold in 2022, for the first time ever.
The envoy said, “And for us, a country with roughly the same population as Chattogram, this is a significant outcome, making us one of Bangladesh’s most active trading partners!”
She said Swiss investors have a strong and diverse footprint in the country and they provide cutting-edge and essential products, technologies and services in many crucial economic sectors.
“My impression is that our companies are increasingly becoming advanced technology suppliers for the local market and businesses, enabling the expansion of the latter. I am confident that more technological partnerships and Swiss investments will follow, including green technologies, if we can tap more into the diversity of trade and investment promotion tools on each side,” she said.
INVESTMENT CLIMATE
The Swiss envoy said the level of foreign direct investment remains relatively low in the country and climate-related issues therefore frequently feature in many of her meetings with Bangladeshi decision-makers.
Read More: Swiss Ambassador Chuard sees “massive potential” to boost trade, investment with Bangladesh
“I welcome the several measures that the government has undertaken in recent years to attract new investments and improve the ease of doing business. In my view, it is clearly a win-win since foreign investments are also crucial to take Bangladesh to its next level of development,” she said.
“In this context, I would like to mention that if you take care of them well, the existing investors can become your country’s best ambassadors for attracting more FDIs,” she added.
NEXT DESTINATION
“As a diplomat, I have been to many countries and I put my heart where my mission is. Bangladesh is no different. As of the first of March, I will be the new director of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF),” said the envoy.
DCAF has programs that touch on more than 70 countries and facilitates, drives and shapes security sector reform policy and programming worldwide.
Read More: Bangladesh, Switzerland discuss celebration of 50 years of ties in Davos
“I am glad and honored to take on this new challenge at such a crucial time and find it very motivating to lead an organization that makes states and people safer, and promotes good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights,” she said.
“This is at the core of what my country stands for and so close to my heart. As a Swiss diplomat, I am also proud to soon be part of “International Geneva” and promote its vision of a world of peace, rights and prosperity,” the Swiss envoy mentioned.
Greta Thunberg carried away by police at German mine protest
Police in western Germany carried Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other protesters away Tuesday from the edge of an open coal pit mine where they demonstrated against the ongoing destruction of a village to make way for the mine's expansion, German news agency dpa reported.
Thunberg was among hundreds of people who resumed anti-mining protests at multiple locations in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia a day after the last two climate activists holed up in a tunnel beneath the village of Luetzerath left the site.
The German government reached a deal with energy company RWE last year allowing it to destroy the village in return for ending coal use by 2030, rather than 2038. Both argue the coal is needed to ensure Germany’s energy security that's squeezed by the cut in supply of Russian gas due to the war in Ukraine.
But environmentalists say bulldozing Luetzerath will result in vast greenhouse gas emissions. Germany is expected to miss its ambitious climate targets for the second year in a row.
Amid the heated coal debate in Germany, the European Union pushed forward on Tuesday with a major clean tech industrial project designed to boost its plans for a greener future as the 27-nation bloc pursues the goal of being climate neutral by 2050.
Elsewhere in western Germany, dozens of climate activists glued themselves to a main street in Germany’s western city of Cologne and to a state government building in Duesseldorf. Near Rommerskirchen, a group of about 120 activists also occupied the coal railroad tracks to the Neurath power plant, according to police and RWE.
Those who refused to leave the tracks were carried away, dpa reported.
Read more: Teenage climate activist nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
In addition, several people occupied a giant digger at the coal mine of Inden, while hundreds of other protesters joined a march near Luetzerath. The village itself was evacuated by the police in recent days and is sealed off.
Once again, there were a few clashes with the police.
Several activists ran over to the Garzweiler open pit mine, according to dpa. They stood at the brink of the open pit, which has a sharp break-off edge. Police said it was dangerous and people were prohibited from staying there.
Thunberg had traveled to western Germany to participate in weekend demonstrations against the expanded mine and also took part in Tuesday’s protest near Luetzerath. Police in nearby Aachen said a group of around 50 protesters got dangerously close to the rim of the mine and did not want to leave despite being asked to do so.
All the people in that group had to be carried away from the edge of the mine and were then temporarily held to determine their identities, police said. Photos from the scene showed Thunberg was one of those whom officers took away.
One protester was able to enter the mine, RWE said, calling the move “very reckless,” dpa said.
A police spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity as is customary in Germany, said he was not permitted to give out any details on Thunberg or any other individuals who participated in the protest due to privacy rules.
Police and RWE started evicting protesters from Luetzerath on Jan. 11, removing roadblocks, chopping down treehouses and bulldozing buildings.
Activists have cited the symbolic importance of Luetzerath for years, and thousands of people demonstrated Saturday against the razing of the village by RWE for the expansion of the Garzweiler coal mine.
Switzerland will continue to be a reliable partner for Bangladesh: Nathalie Chuard
Outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard has said her country will continue to be a reliable partner for Bangladesh in the days ahead.
She paid a farewell call to Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen Monday (January 16, 2023) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Momen congratulated Nathalie on her successful tenure in Bangladesh and appreciated her efforts to further strengthen and broaden Bangladesh-Switzerland ties.
Read more: Switzerland a serious global player, reliable partner of Bangladesh: Ambassador Chuard
Highlighting the similarity of the foreign policies of the two countries, the foreign minister recalled Bangabandhu's vision of turning Bangladesh into the "Switzerland of the East."
The Swiss ambassador expressed her satisfaction at the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of trade and investment and development cooperation.
The foreign minister invited more Swiss investment into Bangladesh, particularly in the advanced manufacturing sector.
Read More: Newly appointed Bangladesh envoy Sufiur presents credentials to Swiss president, seeks better relations
Also, Momen hoped that as a member of the United Nations Security Council for 2023-24, Switzerland would further contribute to global peace and security.
He sought Switzerland's continued support towards the early repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their country.
Newly appointed Bangladesh envoy Sufiur presents credentials to Swiss president, seeks better relations
Bangladesh Ambassador to Switzerland Sufiur Rahman presented his credentials to President Alan Berset of Swiss Federal Council at the Federal Palace in Bern on Tuesday.
The Ambassador was taken to the palace by a motorcade and a guard of honour was given.
A brief discussion on partnership between the two countries was also held.
Ambassador Sufiur conveyed greetings of Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Swiss president.
Read more: New Chinese envoy presents credentials to President Hamid
Recalling his tour to Bangladesh in 2018, the Swiss President Alan lauded recent economic progress of the country and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for sheltering forcibly displaced Myanmar’s Rohingyas, according to a message received
Ambassador Sufiur called upon the international community including the Switzerland government to play a strong role in repatriating the Rohingya nationals to their country safely.
Highlighting the role of the European country in development of Bangladesh over the past decades, he put up the need for transforming the existing bilateral relationship to a full partnership for socio-economic development.
He requested the Swiss president to boost cooperation between the two countries to face impacts of climate change and develop human resources through exchanging professional knowledge.
Hoping for investment from Switzerland to Bangladesh, the ambassador said the amount of bilateral business is now $1billion while developed technologies and modern gears of Switzerland are used in several economic sectors of the country.
The Swiss President Alan informed that his country’s businesspeople are keen to invest in Bangladesh.
Read more: New Japanese Ambassador presents credentials to President
He urged the Bangladesh ambassador to work on expanding the bilateral relationship especially on economic and cultural sides.