B Mirror Report: The ambassadors of Germany and Sweden to Bangladesh held separate meetings with Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat today, focusing on expanding bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
German Ambassador Dr. Rüdiger Lotz and Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks discussed a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, and broader economic collaboration.
During the meetings, both sides emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral trade ties and enhance economic cooperation. The Commerce Minister noted that Europe remains a key destination for Bangladesh’s exports and highlighted the mutual benefits of expanding trade relations.
He also pointed out the existence of certain non-tariff barriers in trade with European Union countries and said the Ministry of Commerce has already initiated discussions with relevant authorities to address those challenges.
Muktadir invited Germany to invest in Bangladesh’s light engineering, textile, and leather sectors, adding that the government has taken multiple initiatives to create a more investment-friendly environment.
Stressing the importance of foreign investment, he said that providing employment for nearly 2 to 2.2 million people entering the workforce each year requires increased external investment.
In response, Ambassador Lotz expressed Germany’s strong interest in deepening trade relations with Bangladesh. He highlighted the importance of cooperation in skill development for market-oriented sectors and emphasized the need to ensure a level playing field in business and trade.
In a separate meeting, Ambassador Nicolas Weeks discussed ways to further strengthen Bangladesh-Sweden trade and economic ties. The Commerce Minister said increased Swedish investment would help solidify bilateral relations and noted that steps have already been taken to remove non-tariff barriers with Sweden.
Ambassador Weeks expressed interest in expanding trade and pointed out that Sweden is a global leader in the telecommunications sector, indicating potential investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s telecom industry.
Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce, Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, was also present at the meetings.
