The 5th Political Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of Switzerland was held in Bern, Switzerland on 08 May 2024. Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral-East and West) Ambassador Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam and Ambassador Heinrich Schellenberg, Head of the Asia Pacific Division of FDFA led the respective sides.
During the Consultations, entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries was discussed in a cordial manner. Discussion on bilateral issues encompassed trade and investment, development cooperation in particular in knowledge and skills enhancement and SMEs development, cooperation in ICT and Cybersecurity as well as mutual legal assistance, and humanitarian aid for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
Both sides agreed to further enhance bilateral trade and Swiss direct investment in Bangladesh. The Swiss side particularly expressed interest for investment in knowledge and innovation sector.
Several multilateral issues of mutual interest such as overview of UN system, UN Security Council, human rights, sustainable development, climate change were also discussed. Both Bangladesh and Switzerland also exchanged their views on regional developments in South Asia and Europe, and global affairs.