Bangladesh and Finland concluded their fourth round of Bilateral Consultations on 8 April 2025 in Dhaka, with a strong focus on green technology, climate action, and sustainable development. The dialogue was led by Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Jarno Syrjälä, Finland’s Under-Secretary of State for International Trade.
The discussions underscored Finland’s interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on renewable energy solutions and resource efficiency. Finnish enterprises were encouraged to invest in green technology sectors, such as clean energy, waste-to-energy initiatives, and sustainable agriculture. This marks a significant step towards Bangladesh’s aspirations to integrate advanced green technologies into its development strategies.
Bangladesh expressed its commitment to leveraging Finnish expertise in water treatment and circular economy practices to address pressing environmental challenges. Finland’s pledge to facilitate technology transfer could accelerate Bangladesh’s journey toward achieving its climate goals while fostering a sustainable economy.
In a bid to strengthen people-to-people ties, Bangladesh proposed expanding workforce recruitment opportunities in Finland for skilled and semi-skilled workers. It also requested increased scholarships for Bangladeshi students and measures to streamline visa processing for education and employment.
Bangladesh called for Finland’s support in resolving the Rohingya crisis, emphasizing the urgency of repatriating displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar. The Finnish delegation acknowledged the regional humanitarian challenge and reaffirmed its commitment to addressing global issues collaboratively.
A Finnish business delegation, comprising representatives from leading companies, participated in the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025. Their engagements aimed to identify avenues for Finnish investment, particularly in innovation-driven sectors like digital services and e-commerce.
The consultations also explored cultural and academic exchanges, setting the stage for deeper collaboration in education and skills development. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations at a mutually agreed time, highlighting their commitment to long-term cooperation.
Under-Secretary Syrjälä’s visit, which concludes on 10 April 2025, reflects Finland’s growing interest in Bangladesh as a partner for sustainable and inclusive economic development.