Bangladesh, Switzerland seek stronger trade and investment ties

Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli on Mondday called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on trade, investment and skills development.

During the courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, Renggli congratulated Kobir on assuming office and expressed confidence that the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Switzerland would be further strengthened.

The two sides discussed expanding bilateral trade and encouraging greater Swiss investment in promising sectors of Bangladesh’s economy.

They identified economic partnership as a key pillar of bilateral relations and agreed to pursue practical measures to expand technical and vocational skills development opportunities for Bangladesh’s workforce.

Kobir also stressed the importance of regular exchanges to strengthen political, cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The Swiss ambassador said the operationalisation of Bangladesh’s new embassy in Bern could help deepen existing bilateral relations and broaden cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also touched on shared commitments to democracy, human rights, multilateralism, international law and a rules-based international order. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to work together in multilateral forums to uphold these values.

Renggli appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting a large number of Rohingyas and reaffirmed Switzerland’s continued support for their voluntary, safe and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

Switzerland also reiterated its commitment to international efforts aimed at finding a durable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis.