'Massive Potential' to Boost Trade, Investment with Bangladesh: Swiss Envoy

Switzerland sees “massive potential” in expanding trade and investment ties with Bangladesh, along with close collaboration on knowledge partnerships, reports UNB.

“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.

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 LDC graduation as an important milestone and a remarkable success for Bangladesh, the envoy who spent almost two years in Bangladesh said it comes with a number of challenges.

The country will have to diversify its economy, further improve ease of doing business and investment climate, and agree on new trade regimes with many of its key trading partners, Chuard said, noting that the level of foreign direct investments remains low though investments are crucial to bring Bangladesh to its next level of development.

On their new country programme for the years 2022-2025, the Ambassador said it also complements the support for more trade and direct foreign investments.

In the years to come, Chuard said they will partner with Bangladesh – the government, the civil society and international organisations present here - to build the country back better, greener and fairer, and progress with a sustainable transition towards graduation from the LDC category.

“Together, we aim at promoting a more prosperous society that is just and resilient,” she said.