News Flash
DHAKA, March 25, 2026 (BSS) - Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, Reto Renggli, today called on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to a press release, the meeting focused on a wide range of bilateral and strategic issues, including law enforcement and security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, parliamentary democracy, police reform, financial sector reforms, prevention of money laundering, combating digital fraud and scams, repatriation of illicitly transferred funds, mutual legal assistance agreements, and the expansion of trade and commerce.
The Home Minister welcomed the ambassador and expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s continued engagement with Bangladesh.
Ambassador Renggli congratulated the minister on assuming his new portfolio.
Emphasizing the government’s priorities, Ahmed stated that improving the law and order situation remains a top agenda.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to fostering genuine parliamentary democracy, ensuring that all political parties can exercise their democratic rights, including holding rallies and assemblies, provided public inconvenience is minimized.
Criticizing past practices, the minister noted that excessive force had previously been used against political groups, which he described as unfortunate.
Ambassador Renggli assured Switzerland’s support in enhancing the capacity of Bangladesh’s police force and advancing police reforms through technical and strategic assistance.
He also inquired about the challenges in implementing the current government’s reform agenda and stressed the importance of a functional parliament and constructive political dialogue.
Referring to his recent participation in the Global Fraud Summit 2026 held in Vienna on March 16–17, 2026, the Home Minister highlighted that digital fraud now accounts for nearly 40 percent of global fraud cases.
He described it as a growing global challenge that requires coordinated international efforts to address effectively.
The ambassador echoed these concerns and underscored the need for joint initiatives in tackling transnational crimes.
On the issue of extremism, the minister stated that while minor elements of radicalism may exist, Bangladesh has not experienced terrorism at a significant level.
He credited the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for their effective role in countering threats.
Discussing economic reforms, the minister stressed that achieving economic stability is essential for sustainable development.
Ambassador Renggli agreed, noting that economic stability is a key driver of national progress.
The minister also specifically called for strengthened cooperation from Switzerland in recovering laundered money and supporting broader reform initiatives.
Officials present at the meeting included Joint Secretary Rebeka Khan from the Political-1 Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Counsellor Alberto Giovanetti from the Swiss Embassy.
In a separate meeting later, the Home Minister also held a meeting with Kristian Hölge, Regional Director for South Asia at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to discuss issues related to regional cooperation in combating crime and illicit activities.
