France wants to further strengthen ties with Bangladesh: Ambassador

French Ambassador to Dhaka Jean-Marc Ser-Charlie said at an event organized on the occasion of France’s Bastille Day that the relations between the two countries have gained new momentum after Bangladesh returned to democracy. France wants to further expand trade, investment, education, culture, climate and strategic cooperation with Bangladesh.
He said this at an event organized on the occasion of France’s Bastille and National Day on Tuesday (July 14). Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku was the chief guest at the event organized at the French Embassy.
At the event, the French ambassador said that Bangladesh has returned to the ranks of democratic states as the recent national elections were peaceful and participatory. He mentioned that Paris is also impressed by the strong commitment of the people of Bangladesh to democracy. He said that President Emmanuel Macron has sent him to Bangladesh with the responsibility of deepening and multi-dimensionalizing bilateral relations. France wants to increase contacts between businessmen, students, researchers and artists.
Noting that the French Development Agency has provided nearly 2 billion euros in loans to Bangladesh for its development and climate resilience since 2012, the ambassador said that more than 80 percent of the agency’s projects are dedicated to combating climate change and conserving biodiversity. He said that France sees Bangladesh as an important partner in ensuring peace, free navigation and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, the two countries are interested in strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, innovation and marine conservation.