PM's visit to Brussels: 350m euro deal be inked to boost renewable energy sector
Diplomatic Correspondent :
A loan agreement worth 350 million euros for Bangladesh’s sustainable energy sector is going to be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Brussels to attend ‘Global Gateway Forum’ for October 25-26.
The concessional loan agreement would be inked between the Economic Relations Division of the Bangladesh government and the European Investment Bank to boost the renewable energy sector in Bangladesh.
Additionally, a grant agreement of 45 million euros between the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, and a grant agreement of 12 million euros between the Bangladesh government and the European Commission, will be signed to support Bangladesh’s sustainable energy sector.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said this during the curtain raiser ceremony in the Foreign Ministry ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
“The European Investment Bank has already expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh’s climate change and sustainability efforts.
It is hoped that this agreement will further expand the avenues for investment in the country’s banking sector,” Momen said.
Emphasising the high significance of the visit, the minister also stated that the Bangladesh government and the European Commission will also sign five separate grant agreements, totaling 70 million euros, for various social projects in Bangladesh.
Regarding the visit, Dr Momen said that the European Union is organising the ‘Global Gateway Forum’ in the capital city of Belgium, Brussels, for the first time, with a focus on the progress of their Global Gateway initiative and comprehensive discussions on key issues.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the invitation of the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, will participate in this event.
On October 25, Hasina will first hold a bilateral meeting with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission and European Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, and subsequently, will engage in a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen.
It is expected that Hasina will announce the intention to elevate the 50-year-old partnership between Bangladesh and the European Union to new heights during meeting with the President of the European Commission, Momen said.
After that, she will deliver a speech in the Opening Plenary Session of the Global Gateway Forum. In the afternoon of the same day, the President of the European Investment Bank, Dr. Werner Hoyer, will have a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Additionally, the European Commission’s Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenar?i?, and the Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, will separately meet with the Honorable Prime Minister to discuss matters of mutual interest.
In the evening, the Honorable Prime Minister will participate in a dinner hosted by the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, in honor of the visiting heads of state and government from different countries.
On the following day, October 26, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo. Subsequently, the Prime Minister will also have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel.
Foreign minister said that Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka on October 24 on a commercial flight of Bangladesh Airlines and arrive in Brussels in the evening of the same day.
On the night of October 26, she will depart from Brussels for Dhaka.
On the same day, in the afternoon, the Prime Minister is expected to participate in a civic reception organised by the Bangladeshi diaspora living in Belgium.
During her trip to Brussels, Prime Minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, PM’s Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, and other relevant high-ranking officials.
The Global Gateway initiative, announced by the European Union in December 2021, aims to invest a total of 300 billion euros within the years 2021-2027 in the framework of European Union member states and other partner countries, focusing on global smart, environmentally friendly, and secure digital technology, energy, transportation infrastructure development, as well as strengthening health, education, and research capabilities.
