Staff Reporter:
Germany is seeking deeper economic and political engagement with Bangladesh, with a visiting parliamentary delegation exploring expanded trade, investment and energy cooperation, including possible collaboration in natural gas extraction in Bhola.
A delegation of the German-South Asian Parliamentary Group, led by Nicklas Kappe of the CDU/CSU, concluded a three-day visit to Bangladesh from September 17 to 19, according to a press release issued by the German embassy in Dhaka yesterday.
The visit highlighted growing European interest in Bangladesh as a geo-economic partner and ex-plored opportunities for deeper trade integration and cooperation in the energy sector.
During the visit, the delegation held meetings with Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, and members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Af-fairs.
The discussions covered Bangladesh’s political and economic developments, trade and investment opportunities, climate change and the protracted Rohingya crisis.
The two sides also discussed Bangladesh’s energy challenges and explored possible cooperation in natural gas extraction in Bhola.
Both sides expressed interest in advancing discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and the European Union.
They also underscored the importance of sustained international support for resolving the Rohing-ya crisis and maintaining international pressure on Myanmar.
As part of its engagements with the private sector, the German delegation visited several German industrial ventures in Bangladesh, including Heidelberg Materials, CHT and Siegwerk.
The delegation also toured the Meghna Industrial Economic Zone (MIEZ) in Narayanganj, gaining first-hand insights into Bangladesh’s manufacturing and industrial landscape and the contribution of German companies operating in the country.
The German parliamentarians praised Bangladesh’s large consumer market and competitive la-bour force while also discussing operational challenges faced by businesses.
Beyond economic cooperation, the delegation discussed democratic inclusion and social develop-ment.
The Speaker briefed the German parliamentarians on women’s political representation in Bangla-desh, while the delegation’s deputy chair, Ulle Schauws, held engagements with leading local women’s rights and environmental organizations focusing on sustainable social development.
