Staff Reporter:
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, MP, yesterday stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation with France in digital technology, telecommunications, science, research, innovation and skilled human resource development to further strengthen the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.
He made the remarks when French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet paid a courtesy call on the minister at the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said a ministry press release.
The minister said an Earth observation satellite can play a vital role in disaster management, agriculture, land management and environmental conservation.
He said the government is assessing the feasibility of establishing an Earth observation satellite consider-ing the country’s needs and is attaching special importance to international cooperation in this regard.
Faqir Mahbub Anam said, “France has long experience in satellite technology. We hope that a new hori-zon of cooperation between the two countries will be opened through the exchange of knowledge, tech-nology and expertise.”
French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet said France is ready to support Bangladesh in the feasibility study, technology transfer, training and capacity building for the country’s Earth observation satellite project.
He said an Earth observation satellite can play an effective role in various important sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, land and urban planning, border security and maritime surveillance.
The envoy also said France is interested in undertaking joint research with Bangladesh’s universities and developing skilled human resources to ensure the maximum use of the technology.
During the meeting, both sides expressed the hope of further expanding the existing Bangladesh-France cooperation and taking future partnership in science and technology to a new height.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi, Airbus Chief Representative in Bangladesh Rafael Gomez and officials concerned of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) were present.
