Prime Minister calls for more Swiss investment in Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset to invest more in Bangladesh, saying her country has created ample opportunities for new investments.
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh made this call during a meeting with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, at the bilateral meeting room of the Palace of Nations on Wednesday (June 14).
After the meeting, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed the journalists. Foreign Secretary Masud bin Momen and Prime Minister's speech writer Nazrul Islam were present at this time.
Mentioning that the trade between Bangladesh and Switzerland is good, Momen said that recently we are doing good business with Switzerland. We are doing almost a billion dollar business. We are exporting products to Switzerland. We are mainly exporting RMG items.
He said that the Prime Minister has requested Switzerland to give three more years to Bangladesh for its transition from Least Developed Country (LDC).
The Prime Minister's speech writer said that Sheikh Hasina told Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset that she had to live as a refugee after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She also briefly describes his struggle to establish democracy, vote and right to food in Bangladesh. She said, I am fulfilling my father's dream to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country.
Answering a question, AK Abdul Momen said Bangladesh's priority is to send the forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to their homeland Myanmar.
In this context, she mentioned that the Rohingyas also want to return to their country. We can't keep them. We are continuing our efforts. She requested Alain Burset to assist Bangladesh in its efforts to repatriate the Rohingyas.
Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset has assured Bangladesh that his country will continue to support them on the Rohingya issue.
During a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi at the hotel's meeting room, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged UNHCR to create an enabling environment in Myanmar for the Rohingyas to return home.
In this context, Sheikh Hasina said that recently some Rohingyas have expressed their satisfaction by going to their own country. She further said that they should start the process of repatriation.
In response, Filippo Grandi said, "They are trying." He said they have access to Myanmar, but they have limitations. He also said, we will try to improve the environment of Myanmar.
He reiterated UNHCR's position to support Bangladesh in repatriating Rohingyas. Later, Prince Rahim Aga Khan met the Prime Minister.