ZCZC
BSS-05
BANGLADESH-SWISS-INVESTMENT
Momen seeks Swiss investment in Hi-tech parks
DHAKA, Aug 27 2020 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has urged Switzerland to encourage its enterprises to invest at Bangladesh’s under developing 28 Hi-tech parks considering a huge pool of IT professionals in the country.
Momen made the urge while newly appointed Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard paid a courtesy call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday, a foreign ministry press release said here today.
During the meeting the foreign minister also informed her about Bangladesh’s growing capabilities in ICT sector in line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of building a ‘Digital Bangladesh’.
Momen also invited Swiss investors to set up manufacturing factories in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of Bangladesh taking advantage of various incentive packages offered by the government to get Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
He also briefed the Swiss envoy on Bangladesh’s tremendous socio-economic developments, particularly during the last one decade under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mentioning that pharmaceutical and leather sectors are two other emerging export-oriented sectors of Bangladesh alongside the Ready-made garments sector, Momen urged Switzerland to import more of these products from here.
The foreign minister said not a single displaced Rohingya could be repatriated yet even after three years of the largest influx to Bangladesh due to lack of political will and decisive action on the part of Myanmar despite agreed commitments of Naypyidaw.
Appreciating Switzerland’s continued support to resolve the crisis, Momen sought international community including Switzerland’s further stronger role in ensuring sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to their land of origin at the earliest.
The foreign minister also put emphasis on issue of justice for the Rohingya victims and accountability for the atrocities committed.
The Swiss Ambassador assured Dr Momen of her country’s strong commitment in this regard.
Dr. Momen informed the Swiss envoy that currently Bangladesh is the President of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).
He said that despite international commitment for mobilizing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 for adaptation and mitigation of the negative impacts of climate change, the present situation of climate finance is in a bad shape.
Momen urged Switzerland and other developed countries and international partners to mobilize more financial resources to address this global challenge collectively.
The new Swiss Ambassador also called on state minister for foreign affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, and foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday at the foreign ministry.
BSS/PR/TA/RY/13:52hrs