Norway’s Ambassador Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen paid a courtesy meeting with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed in Bangladesh. The discussion focused on bilateral trade, investment, climate change mitigation, and a sustainable resolution to the Rohingya crisis.
The meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere at the minister’s office at the secretariat on Tuesday, covered mutual interests including renewable energy, climate change mitigation, and bilateral trade.
During the talks, the Norwegian Ambassador praised Bangladesh’s recent socio-economic progress and noted that Norway is now emphasising not only traditional development aid but also the enhancement of bilateral trade and investment.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed highlighted the potential for Bangladeshi exports to Norway, including pharmaceuticals, leather goods, IT services, jute products, and handicrafts. He also invited Norwegian investment in renewable energy, information and communication technology, shipbuilding, and the packaging industry.
Noting Norway’s significant role in combating climate change, the minister stressed that Bangladesh remains one of the most climate-vulnerable countries and called for expanded cooperation. He also urged increased collaboration in education, technology, digital innovation, vocational training, and research.
On the Rohingya crisis, the home minister commended Norway’s humanitarian support in Cox’s Bazar and said the prolonged presence of a large Rohingya population poses major challenges to Bangladesh’s security and economy. He called on Norway and the international community to play a more effective role in ensuring the safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya.
In response, the Norwegian Ambassador assured that cooperation on shared interests, including in UN forums, will continue and pledged Norway’s support for Bangladesh’s development and security.
Senior officials from the Norwegian Embassy and the Ministry of Home Affairs were also present at the meeting.
