On Wednesday 25 October in Brussels, the President of the European Commission, Usrsula von der Leyen, met the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, as part of 50 years of bilateral relations, to sign two investment packages as part of the Global Gateway strategy (see other news): a ‘Renewable Energy Package’ and an Annual Action Plan for 2023.
The first renewable energy investment package includes more than €400 million to support the green transition in Bangladesh. The second is a €70 million investment plan for public administration and employment, as well as investment in skills, education and green construction.
“Global Gateway will invest nearly €1 billion in Bangladesh, and we won’t stop there. We are working with the EIB to improve connectivity in your country (...), from port infrastructure to railways and digital infrastructure. We have a number of major projects in the pipeline”, the President of the European Commission told the Prime Minister.
Ms von der Leyen also announced that the two parties had relaunched negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement.
In particular, Ms Hasina thanked the EU for its support for the 1.2 million Rohingya who have found refuge in Bangladesh. “The solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in their safe and sustainable return to their homeland in Myanmar. I urge you to continue your commitment to finding a rapid and lasting solution to this crisis”, she declared. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)