Ambassador of France to Bangladesh H.E. Mrs. Marie Masdupuy paid her maiden courtesy call on Hon’ble Foreign Affairs Adviser Mr. Md. Touhid Hossain and handed over the original congratulatory message from the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Stéphane Séjournéthis morning at the latter’s office.
The Ambassador informed that more and more French companies are expressing interest to do business with and invest in Bangladesh with the gradual improvement of business environment as well as positive changes in different sectors in the country under the Interim Government. She offered technical, legal and institutional assistances of France in implementing reform agenda of the Interim Government, particularly in the areas of curbing corruption, reforming governance and financial system.
The Hon’ble Foreign Affairs Adviser highlighted the long-standing Bangladesh-France bilateral relations and welcomed France’s interest in providing technical support to the Interim Government’s reform agenda. He assured that the Interim Government is determined to bring visible and sustainable reforms to promote business and FDI with substantial improvement in labour sector and human rights domain. The Hon’ble Adviser referred Bangladesh’s accession to the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in this regard.
As raised by the French Ambassador, the Hon’ble Adviser expressed firm commitment to preventing human trafficking and migrant-smuggling from Bangladesh to Europe. On Rohingya issue, he also underlined the need for international pressure on Myanmar authorities for a durable solution of the Rohingya crisis through safe, secure and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar. Both sides also exchanged views on bilateral development cooperation, climate change as well as war in Ukraine.