DHAKA: A fifteen member delegation comprising members of the Swiss Advisory Commission on International Development Cooperation will visit Bangladesh during November 11-18. 

The main objective of their visit is to familiarize themselves with the opportunities and challenges facing development sector in Bangladesh.

The Swiss Advisory Commission on Development Cooperation is an important consultative body in Switzerland. The commission advises the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy on issues of international development cooperation.

The delegation is composed of representatives of the Swiss Parliament, academia, private sector and NGO community. The members of the delegation will interact with the civil society representatives, development partners and other relevant stakeholders during their working visit. 

They will also travel to Sunamganj, Jessore, Khulna and Gazipur districts to visit development projects funded by the Government of Switzerland.

Bangladesh is one of the priority countries of the Government of Switzerland with regards to long-term development cooperation. 

The current Swiss Cooperation Strategy for Bangladesh focuses on three thematic areas, namely Local Governance, Skills Development and Market Development. 

The annual Swiss development assistance to Bangladesh amounts to over USD 30 million.

BDST: 1257 HRS, NOV 11, 2014