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TL;DR
- Switzerland pledges full cooperation to repatriate illegal assets of Bangladeshi nationals from Swiss banks, following international standards and procedures.
- Swiss Ambassador views recent student-led uprising as opportunity for reforms in Bangladesh, offering Swiss support for the reform process.
- Both countries agree to collaborate on human rights issues and discuss increased Swiss investment in Bangladesh, particularly in the ICT sector.
- Switzerland assures continued humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar, emphasizing repatriation as the ultimate solution.
Switzerland has pledged full cooperation in repatriating illegal assets held by Bangladeshi nationals in Swiss banks, adhering to international standards and procedures. This commitment was made during a meeting between Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Siegfried Renggli and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the foreign ministry in Dhaka on September 12, 2024.
During the discussion, Foreign Adviser Hossain sought assistance from Swiss authorities in identifying and recovering illegal assets held by certain Bangladeshi individuals in Swiss banks. Ambassador Renggli acknowledged the recent student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh as an “astonishing development” and viewed it as an opportunity for widespread reforms in the country. He assured the Swiss government’s support for the reform process.
The Foreign Adviser highlighted the interim government’s decision to form several commissions to facilitate these reforms. Both parties expressed satisfaction over Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearance and agreed to collaborate further on human rights issues.
Regarding trade and investment, Ambassador Renggli described Bangladesh as a “tremendously potential market” and emphasized the need for increased private sector engagement and a level playing field to attract new Swiss investments. He expressed eagerness from the Swiss side to explore these opportunities.
The Swiss ambassador also assured continued humanitarian support for the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar. Additionally, he delivered an original congratulatory message from the Swiss Federal Councilor to the Foreign Adviser.
News Source: The Daily Star
