50 years of diplomatic ties with Switzerland: President Cassis emphasises broadening relations

Swiss President Ignazio Cassis has greeted Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries today.

In his congratulatory message, Ignazio Cassis emphasised the longstanding collaboration between the two countries in many domains as well as the continuous broadening and deepening of bilateral ties.

Highlighting the two countries' partnership, Cassis underlined key areas of future collaboration, including the Covid-19 recovery, peace and prosperity, climate change and sustainable development.

Over the last five decades, Switzerland has been a reliable development and economic partner of Bangladesh.

Switzerland has invested over CHF 1.2 billion (USD 1.3 billion) in development assistance with significant additional contributions channelled through international financial institutions. 

Switzerland's development cooperation focuses on innovative projects benefitting the most vulnerable.

Bilateral trade has increased rapidly and today, traded goods amount to over CHF 1 billion (USD 1.1 billion) per year.

Most Swiss multinational companies are present in the country and provide critical products, technologies, and services in various key socio-economic sectors.

"Being a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Switzerland aims at further broadening its engagement with Bangladesh also in multilateral fora to tackle global peace and security challenges," said a statement from the Swiss Embassy in Bangladesh.