Bangladesh seeks Finnish investment

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged Finland to explore investment opportunities in high-tech parks and special economic zones in Bangladesh.

The minister also urged Finland and other EU member states to work towards early and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya with safety and dignity.

He made the request during a virtual meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on Tuesday.

The two ministers discussed the possibility of initiating work on a bilateral agreement on double taxation.

Dr Momen also said Bangladesh and Finland should observe the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two country's diplomatic relations in 2022 in a befitting manner, through high-level political visits, investment dialogues, and cultural exchanges.

The Finnish Foreign Minister appreciated Bangladesh's humanitarian gesture towards the forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar. He assured to remain engaged with the situation leveraging Finland's engagement in certain mediation efforts in Myanmar.

The two ministers also agreed to enhance cooperation on climate change issues, including through the Coalition of Finance Ministers on Climate Change that Finland co-chairs.

The two ministers agreed to work on cultural exchange and knowledge partnership for fostering human connectivity.

Bangladesh's non-resident Ambassador to Finland Md Nazmul Islam also joined the meeting.