DHAKA, Nov 28, 2024 (BSS) – German ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Tröster today reaffirmed his country’s full support to the Bangladesh interim government and its reform initiatives.
    
“The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Germany is excellent and long-standing,” he stated while paying his maiden call on Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin today at the foreign ministry here, said a ministry press release.  

During the meeting, the ambassador briefed on the German development cooperation, particularly in the areas of climate action, green transition, vocational training, and improving work environment in the garments industry of Bangladesh.

The foreign secretary termed the relations between the two countries as ‘substantive’ and expressed happiness over existing bilateral trade relations that was over 7 billion US dollars in 2022-23.

He highlighted the measures taken by the Bangladesh government to bring improvement in labour sector, including amendments to the Bangladesh labour Act and EPZ Labour Act.

He said that 11 reform commissions have been formed by the interim government with a view to ensuring accountability and transparency in the entire governance, and holding a free, fair election towards the path of democracy.

The foreign secretary broached the issue of problems being faced by the students in obtaining German visa for a long time.

In response, the German ambassador assured of taking all possible efforts, including increasing manpower at the embassy, to clear the backlog of student visa applications.
 
Referring to the recent unprecedented floods in the southern part of Bangladesh, the foreign secretary lauded German’s assistance in tackling climate change effects.
 
He further praised German support for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and hoped to hold an all stakeholders’ international conference on Rohingyas soon, as called by Bangladesh Chief Adviser during the last UNGA in New York.

Both sides further discussed ways for regular holding of bilateral consultations, exchange of visits, and educational collaboration.