Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (June 14) requested President of Swiss Confederation Alain Berset encouraged to invest more in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina made the request during her call on the Swiss president at the bilateral meeting room in Palais des Nations.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed the reporters regarding the bilateral meeting. 

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and PM's speech writer M Nazrul Islam were also present during media briefing.

Mentioning that trade and business between Bangladesh and Switzerland is good, Momen said, "Recently we are doing good business with Switzerland. We are doing almost a billion dollar business. We are exporting goods in Switzerland, we mainly export RMG items".

He said that the Prime Minister requested Switzerland to provide three additional years for Bangladesh to graduate from LDC status.

Prime Minister requested Alain Berset to supplement Bangladesh's efforts to send Rohingyas to their homeland.

President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset assured Bangladesh that his country would continue its support on the Rohingya issue.

During the call on with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi at the Meeting Room in Hotel, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the UNHCR to create a conducive environment in Myanmar so that Rohingyas could return to their homeland.

In this regard, Sheikh Hasina said that recently some Rohingyas went to their homeland and expressed their satisfaction.

"The process (of returning) should start," she said. 

In reply, Filippo Grandi said that they are trying. He said that they have access to Myanmar, but they have limitations. "We will try to improve the environment in Myanmar," he added.

He also reiterated UNHCR stance to support Bangladesh to send back Rohingyas to their homeland.

Later, Prince Rahim Aga Khan also called on the Prime Minister.

BDST: 2111 HRS, JUNE 14, 2023
MSK