Bangladesh, Germany eye energy, fertiliser investment
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, has called for stronger Bangladesh-Germany cooperation in parliamentary affairs, investment and other areas of mutual interest.
Hafiz Uddin said Bangladesh had repeatedly faced setbacks in its democratic transition despite achieving independence through the Liberation War in 1971.
He made the remarks when German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz paid a courtesy call on him at the Speaker’s office at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed forming a Bangladesh-Germany parliamentary committee, expanding parliamentary diplomacy through friendship groups and increasing German economic investment in Bangladesh.
Potential investment areas discussed included exploration for oil and gas wells in coastal areas and the establishment of fertiliser factories.
The Speaker invited German experts to explore oil and gas resources in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, saying the country’s future economy would depend on energy. He said people had repeatedly sacrificed themselves for democracy and remained committed to the long struggle to establish the rule of law.
Referring to Bangladesh’s political history, the Speaker said the country had suffered exploitation for a long time and that democratic discrimination had become acute during the Pakistan period.
He also said Bangladesh and Germany had maintained friendly relations for a long time, adding that the presence of a German observer delegation during the latest parliamentary election had further strengthened bilateral ties.
“Germany and Bangladesh are fraternal countries in the democratic sphere,” he said.
Ambassador Rüdiger Lotz said Bangladesh had been freed from 15 years of authoritarian rule and had paved the way from dictatorship towards democracy.
He said the current elected government faced many challenges and pledged the German government’s maximum support for making democracy effective in Bangladesh.
The two sides also discussed expanding German investment in Bangladesh, including opportunities in the energy and fertiliser sectors.
The discussions also covered parliamentary diplomacy through friendship groups, reflecting the two countries’ efforts to broaden institutional cooperation.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations through parliamentary engagement and increased economic investment alongside cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.
