EU sees Bangladesh as full-fledged economic partner

European Union Ambassador in Dhaka Pierre Mayaudon has said the EU aims at bringing forward Bangladesh from a status of supplier of garment to a fully-fledged economic partner.

“This country deserves better than the image associated to low-cost and cheap labour,” he told a reception organised on the occasion of Europe Day 2015 at Westin Hotel on Sunday.

“This would do justice to the millions of actors of this silent revolution which is gradually taking Bangladesh out of poverty.”

He added launch of the new Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2014-2020 identified the main avenues of development cooperation for the next seven years, namely education and skills development, nutrition and food security, and strengthening democratic governance.

“The creation of a new institution -- the EU Business Council Bangladesh -- aims at bringing forward Bangladesh from a status of supplier of garment to a fully-fledged economic partner,” he said.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali also spoke on the occasion.

Speaking on economic field, the EU ambassador said implementation of the Sustainability Compact adopted two years ago after the Rana Plaza tragedy had captured their attention.

“We are glad that Bangladesh has been the world's most successful country in benefiting from the EU GSP/EBA market access regime,” Mayaudon said.

He also listed out EU initiatives, including launch of an awareness campaign on HORIZON 2020, the new EU Research and Innovation mega programme.

“We are convinced that it will accompany your country in bringing to reality two very inspiring visions: Digital Bangladesh and Blue Economy,” said the EU envoy.

On a photo exhibition styled “Women and Girls” arranged on the occasion of the Europe Day, he said it was also the occasion to flag that “we, in the EU, together with our 28 member states, meaning Europe altogether, have put gender balance and women empowerment very high on our international agenda.”