Staff Reporter:
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain yesterday said Bangladesh’s ties with Europe will remain unaffected by any aircraft purchase decision, dismissing the German ambassador’s comment that choos-ing Boeing over Airbus might shape EU–Bangladesh relations and GSP-related discussions.
“I do not believe our overall relations will be affected by a commercial deal,” he said while responding a question of a journalist at the foreign ministry yesterday afternoon.
The Adviser said ambassadors naturally promote the commercial interests of their own countries, but Bangladesh would make procurement decisions strictly on expert evaluation and national requirements.
“Any ambassador will naturally try to promote his country’s products that is normal and it is part of his responsibility. He has fulfilled his responsibility,” he said.
Touhid Hossain added that Bangladesh would not take decisions based on external pressure or commen-tary.
“What matters for us is what our experts determine based on Bangladesh’s requirements and fleet size. We will not go outside expert opinion, nor will we make decisions based on what others say,” he noted.
Earlier in the day, German Ambassador Rüdiger Lotz, speaking at the DCAB Talk organized by the Dip-lomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), said that Bangladesh’s withdrawal from its “commitment” to purchase Airbus aircraft would “absolutely” have an impact on its trade relations with Europe.
The German ambassador underlined the importance of predictability in commercial dealings, noting that Europe closely observes Bangladesh’s major procurement decisions.
He said Germany regards Bangladesh as a significant economic partner and expects the relationship to maintain the level of mutual respect it has long enjoyed.
Addressing a question on whether Dhaka’s decision not to buy Airbus aircraft could affect bilateral eco-nomic ties, the ambassador responded, “Would deciding not to buy Airbus affect trade relations? Ger-many is Bangladesh’s most important business partner, and we feel we have been treated accordingly. Reliability in business relations is essential.”
The envoy further explained that commercial choices often influence broader policy environments.
“Airbus produces an excellent product, though I am not here as an airline industry representative. Deci-sions like GSP negotiations can influence the atmosphere, and decisions such as aircraft purchases inevi-tably have some impact, not necessarily “consequences,” but an impact—on the overall mood of bilateral relations.
Emphasising that Bangladesh remains fully sovereign in making procurement decisions, the ambassador nonetheless pointed out that business choices naturally shape diplomatic perceptions.
“Bangladesh is free to take its own decision, but business choices always shape the broader environment. Nonetheless, we will continue close business relations because it is in both countries’ mutual interest,” he said.
An apparent rivalry continues between two global aviation giants– US-based Boeing and Europe’s Air-bus– as both compete for the Bangladesh’s national flag carrier, Biman’s upcoming aircraft procurement.
Biman’s Techno-Financial Committee is currently reviewing two proposals- Airbus’s offer of 10 A350 wide-body and four A320neo narrow-body aircrafts, and Boeing’s offer of 10 787 Dreamliners and four 737 MAX jets.
