Dhaka and Paris have signed two bilateral instruments aimed at strengthening cooperation in various fields, including infrastructure and satellite technology. The signings took place at the Karobi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance.
The first agreement is a Credit Facility Agreement between the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh and the France Development Agency (AFD). This agreement focuses on the “Improving Urban Governance and Infrastructure Program.” The second agreement is a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Cooperation between Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) and Airbus Defence and Space SAS of France. This partnership is related to the development of the Bangabandhu-2 Earth Observation Satellite System.
Before the signings, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Emmanuel Macron held talks to explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries. Macron’s visit to Bangladesh marks the first time a French president has visited the country in 33 years. He arrived in Dhaka from India, where he attended the G20 summit in New Delhi. Macron is scheduled to depart from Dhaka at 2 pm on Monday.
Over the years, trade between Bangladesh and France has experienced significant growth, rising from €210 million to €4.9 billion. Additionally, French companies have become involved in various sectors in Bangladesh, including engineering, energy, aerospace, and water.
The agreements signed between Dhaka and Paris are expected to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and promote cooperation in crucial areas such as infrastructure development and satellite technology.