Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy made her first courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, during which she handed over an official congratulatory message from the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné.
The meeting took place at the Foreign Adviser’s office on Thursday (5 September), said a press release.
The French envoy informed the adviser that an increasing number of French companies are showing interest in conducting business and investing in Bangladesh.
She attributed this rising interest to the gradual improvements in the business environment and positive developments in various sectors under the current interim government.
During the meeting, Ambassador Masdupuy extended France’s offer of technical, legal, and institutional assistance to support the interim government’s reform agenda, particularly in the areas of combating corruption and reforming governance and the financial system.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain welcomed France’s interest and highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between Bangladesh and France. He reiterated the interim government’s commitment to implementing visible and sustainable reforms aimed at promoting business and foreign direct investment (FDI), with a focus on significant improvements in the labour sector and human rights.
In response to concerns raised by the French ambassador, Adviser Hossain assured that Bangladesh is firmly committed to preventing human trafficking and migrant smuggling to Europe.
Furthermore, on the issue of the Rohingya crisis, he emphasised the importance of continued international pressure on the Myanmar authorities to achieve a durable solution. He stressed that the solution should ensure the safe, secure, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to their homeland in Myanmar.
