BD, France keen to combat irregular migration
Bangladesh and France are keen to strengthen cooperation to combat irregular migration and human trafficking while expanding opportunities for legal and regular labour mobility.
The understanding was reached at a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and a three-member delegation of French Senators at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Sunday. The French Ambassador to Bangladesh was also present at the meeting.
During the discussions, the State Minister stressed the importance of creating more opportunities for Bangladeshis to migrate legally and regularly to France.
She reaffirmed Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy towards irregular migration and human trafficking, according to a Foreign Ministry.
Shama Obaed expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to work closely with France to prevent irregular migration and address challenges related to human trafficking.
Both sides also agreed to pursue measures to enhance technical and vocational skills development opportunities for Bangladesh’s workforce, which could help create greater avenues for regular employment and labour mobility.
The discussions formed part of broader talks on strengthening Bangladesh-France relations, with particular emphasis on cooperation between the democratic institutions of the two countries.
The State Minister welcomed greater engagement with the French Senate, including through increased interaction within the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
She also highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in diversifying exports to France, particularly pharmaceuticals, leather, ceramics and jute products, and encouraged greater French investment in these sectors.
The meeting also covered trade and investment, education, culture, migration and mobility, as well as regional and global issues including climate change, women’s empowerment and multilateral cooperation.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to working together in multilateral forums.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing confidence that exchanges between parliamentary delegations would give fresh impetus to Bangladesh-France relations and further strengthen the longstanding friendship and partnership between the two countries.
