Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has pledged to make the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh “the best ever and historic,” during a meeting with Norwegian Ambassador Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen in Dhaka on Sunday.
The elections, expected later this year or mid-next year, aim to set a global example of free and fair democratic practices.
“We want to make it an example, a historical example,” Prof Yunus assured the envoy during their meeting at his office in Tejgaon.
The Norwegian ambassador conveyed a message from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, expressing strong support for Bangladesh’s Interim Government and its reform initiatives.
The letter highlighted Norway’s commitment to Bangladesh’s efforts in conducting free and fair elections while also emphasizing the protection of human rights and environmental sustainability.
During the meeting, Prof Yunus encouraged Norway to increase its investments in Bangladesh, particularly in leveraging the country as a regional distribution hub. He highlighted the potential of Bangladesh’s youth force in driving economic growth.
“Use Bangladesh as a base for distributing Norwegian products in Asia so that you don’t need to bring your people from Norway and can use our young people,” Prof Yunus said.
He cited the example of Grameenphone, the first overseas entity of Norwegian telecom giant Telenor, which has become the most profitable venture within Telenor’s global operations.
Ambassador Gulbrandsen expressed Norway’s interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on the green energy transition and the ship recycling industry. He emphasized Norway’s desire to work together on international forums to address global challenges such as plastic pollution, tax justice, and the Palestinian crisis.
Norway’s Deputy Head of Mission in Dhaka, Marrianne Rabe Knaevelsrud, also expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s support of the Norwegian-led UN resolution on humanitarian access in Palestine.
The Chief Adviser sought Norway’s support in resolving the Rohingya crisis, particularly in light of the changed political landscape in Myanmar. Prof Yunus pointed to Norway’s significant role in international peacekeeping efforts as a foundation for its involvement in the crisis.
“Norway played a big role in peacekeeping. So, we need your help in resolving the Rohingya crisis,” Prof Yunus said.
Ambassador Gulbrandsen affirmed Norway’s readiness to work closely with Bangladesh on this issue and expressed optimism about deepening bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
