UNB, Dhaka :
Having a strong young population, Bangladesh has clear development goals to achieve but it needs to maintain an inclusive political process to keep the wheel of development moving for a better future, says an Ambassador.
“Bangladesh’s character is more inclusive; people are politically vibrant. So, any authoritarian approach will be counterproductive in the future,” Switzerland Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Fotsch told UNB in an interview at his office. As a friend of Bangladesh, the Swiss envoy who will leave Dhaka within a couple of months, urged all the political parties to join the next national election in Bangladesh to make it “inclusive, participatory and make it a fair elections” for better Bangladesh with reflections of people’s will.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s quest for development, the Ambassador said he feels this country, its people and government want to
progress and march ahead for a better future through working together.
“Bangladesh is now becoming more and more developed and it’s aiming to be a middle-income country. And development cooperation still remains a strong pillar in our relations,” he said.
Ambassador Fotsch suggested the government to address the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism like isolation and poverty while lauding government’s efforts to fight against this common global problem.
He also said the government should respect human rights and should not allow ‘extrajudicial killings’ in fighting terrorism. “Otherwise, it’ll be counterproductive.” The Swiss envoy lauded government’s measures in giving diplomats adequate security after July 1 ‘most unfortunate’ attack on a Gulshan restaurant last year.
“Now, I feel very safe in Dhaka and in Bangladesh. I feel comfortable. But it’s important to think about security not only for foreigners but also for all citizens in the country,” he said nearly a month ahead of July 1 attack anniversary. Terming violent extremism and terrorism a global challenge, the Ambassador said both Bangladesh and his country are strongly committed to fighting against violent extremism and terrorism. “The response from Bangladesh has been very adequate and good.”
Responding to a question, Fotsch said they have just completed a new development strategy with Bangladesh – 2017-2020 – and Switzerland is taking some priority areas to work with Bangladesh.
“Safe migration – this will be a new focus of our cooperation,” he said terming migration a very complex issue having local, regional and global perspectives.
Responding to a question on investment climate, the Ambassador said the government has the willingness to improve the investment environment and its plan to set up special economic zones is a clear will that it wants to do more for attracting investment. He listed lack of infrastructure, energy supply, proper transport system and bureaucracy as a few challenges that keep the investors away from Bangladesh in some cases.
“I invite the government to streamline these areas,” Fotsch said adding that he wants to promote more SMEs from Switzerland to Bangladesh. The Ambassador, however, said big Swiss companies are already here in Bangladesh and listed Bangladeshi people’s willingness to work in foreign companies, their skills and low labour cost as positive sides of Bangladesh that attract foreign investment.
Responding to a question on economic cooperation, Fotsch said, “I must say I’m happy with the development of economic cooperation between Switzerland and Bangladesh.” The trade volume stood $600 million last year with 16 percent growth while the trade volume doubled since 2010, he said adding that they have seen a 17 percent rise in investment last year. “Potential for more trade and investment is there,” the Ambassador said listing an increased visibility of Switzerland and stronger economic cooperation as two big achievements during his tenure. He, however, said each Ambassador has some unfinished job as the successor has something to do. “One [my] unfinished job in the economic field – promotion of SMEs. I didn’t achieve as much as I wanted. And secondly, the discussion on human rights issues should continue.”
Fotsch said he will use his Bangladesh experience and tell his friends and public about positive points of Bangladesh as it is often seen negatively tagging with disaster, violent extremism and incidents like Rana Plaza disaster.
“It’s unfair. If you come to Bangladesh then you will have much, much better impression,” he said adding that the people of Bangladesh are very friendly, resilient and very curious.
The Ambassador said there is eagerness from people and the government to take forward the country towards further development and achieve a middle-income status.
Appreciating the way the government dealt with cyclone ‘Mora’, he said, “This is one of the results of our cooperation and cooperation with other countries.
Having a strong young population, Bangladesh has clear development goals to achieve but it needs to maintain an inclusive political process to keep the wheel of development moving for a better future, says an Ambassador.
“Bangladesh’s character is more inclusive; people are politically vibrant. So, any authoritarian approach will be counterproductive in the future,” Switzerland Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Fotsch told UNB in an interview at his office. As a friend of Bangladesh, the Swiss envoy who will leave Dhaka within a couple of months, urged all the political parties to join the next national election in Bangladesh to make it “inclusive, participatory and make it a fair elections” for better Bangladesh with reflections of people’s will.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s quest for development, the Ambassador said he feels this country, its people and government want to
progress and march ahead for a better future through working together.
“Bangladesh is now becoming more and more developed and it’s aiming to be a middle-income country. And development cooperation still remains a strong pillar in our relations,” he said.
Ambassador Fotsch suggested the government to address the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism like isolation and poverty while lauding government’s efforts to fight against this common global problem.
He also said the government should respect human rights and should not allow ‘extrajudicial killings’ in fighting terrorism. “Otherwise, it’ll be counterproductive.” The Swiss envoy lauded government’s measures in giving diplomats adequate security after July 1 ‘most unfortunate’ attack on a Gulshan restaurant last year.
“Now, I feel very safe in Dhaka and in Bangladesh. I feel comfortable. But it’s important to think about security not only for foreigners but also for all citizens in the country,” he said nearly a month ahead of July 1 attack anniversary. Terming violent extremism and terrorism a global challenge, the Ambassador said both Bangladesh and his country are strongly committed to fighting against violent extremism and terrorism. “The response from Bangladesh has been very adequate and good.”
Responding to a question, Fotsch said they have just completed a new development strategy with Bangladesh – 2017-2020 – and Switzerland is taking some priority areas to work with Bangladesh.
“Safe migration – this will be a new focus of our cooperation,” he said terming migration a very complex issue having local, regional and global perspectives.
Responding to a question on investment climate, the Ambassador said the government has the willingness to improve the investment environment and its plan to set up special economic zones is a clear will that it wants to do more for attracting investment. He listed lack of infrastructure, energy supply, proper transport system and bureaucracy as a few challenges that keep the investors away from Bangladesh in some cases.
“I invite the government to streamline these areas,” Fotsch said adding that he wants to promote more SMEs from Switzerland to Bangladesh. The Ambassador, however, said big Swiss companies are already here in Bangladesh and listed Bangladeshi people’s willingness to work in foreign companies, their skills and low labour cost as positive sides of Bangladesh that attract foreign investment.
Responding to a question on economic cooperation, Fotsch said, “I must say I’m happy with the development of economic cooperation between Switzerland and Bangladesh.” The trade volume stood $600 million last year with 16 percent growth while the trade volume doubled since 2010, he said adding that they have seen a 17 percent rise in investment last year. “Potential for more trade and investment is there,” the Ambassador said listing an increased visibility of Switzerland and stronger economic cooperation as two big achievements during his tenure. He, however, said each Ambassador has some unfinished job as the successor has something to do. “One [my] unfinished job in the economic field – promotion of SMEs. I didn’t achieve as much as I wanted. And secondly, the discussion on human rights issues should continue.”
Fotsch said he will use his Bangladesh experience and tell his friends and public about positive points of Bangladesh as it is often seen negatively tagging with disaster, violent extremism and incidents like Rana Plaza disaster.
“It’s unfair. If you come to Bangladesh then you will have much, much better impression,” he said adding that the people of Bangladesh are very friendly, resilient and very curious.
The Ambassador said there is eagerness from people and the government to take forward the country towards further development and achieve a middle-income status.
Appreciating the way the government dealt with cyclone ‘Mora’, he said, “This is one of the results of our cooperation and cooperation with other countries.
