Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP congratulated Mr. Reto Siegfried Renggli on his appointment as the Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh during his maiden courtesy call on him today.
The Foreign Minister termed Switzerland ‘the country of peace and stability’ and recalled Bangabandhu’s vision of transforming Bangladesh into ‘Switzerland of the East’. Highlighting that return on investment in Bangladesh is higher than many other neighboring countries, Foreign Minister invited more Swiss investment into Bangladesh, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, agro-food processing, etc. Mentioning Bangladesh as the ‘land of opportunity and vibrant economy’, he underscored the importance of the exchange of business delegations to further the trade and investment cooperation between the two friendly countries.
The Swiss Ambassador recalled the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Switzerland in 1972. He expressed satisfaction at the fact that bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded US$ 1 billion last year and highlighted opportunities for more bilateral trade between the two countries and Swiss investment into Bangladesh.
Recognizing the need for continued global attention to the Rohingya crisis and humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas, sheltered in Bangladesh, the Swiss Ambassador assured extending his government’s support towards safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas. The Foreign Minister thanked the Swiss government for their support of the Rohingya crisis and hoped for more Swiss support towards early repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
Referring to the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister expressed that Bangladesh would welcome foreign observers to observe the elections and assured that the elections would be held in a free, fair, and peaceful environment.