Switzerland
has pledged to fully cooperate in repatriating illegal money deposited by
Bangladeshi nationals in Swiss banks, in accordance with international
standards and procedures.
The
commitment was made during a meeting between Swiss Ambassador in Dhaka Reto
Siegfried Renggli, and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid H ossain at the foreign
ministry here, according to a press release issued by the ministry today
(Thursday, September 12).
During
the discussion, Foreign Adviser Hossain sought the cooperation of Swiss
authorities in identifying and recovering illegal assets held in Swiss banks by
certain Bangladeshi individuals.
Noting
the recent students-led mass uprising as an astonishing development, the Swiss
Ambassador termed this transition as an opportunity for widespread reforms in
Bangladesh and assured Swiss government's support to the reform process.
The
foreign adviser highlighted the Interim Government's remarkable decision to
form a number of commissions to that purpose.
Both
sides expressed happiness over Bangladesh's accession to the UN Convention on
Enforced Disappearance and agreed to work together to uphold human rights
agenda further.
On
trade and investment, the envoy described Bangladesh as a tremendously
potential market and urged the need for more private sector engagements and
level playing field to attract new Swiss investments.
Referring
to the immense capability of the Bangladeshi youth especially in ICT, the
foreign adviser requested Swiss support in leveraging their full potential for
productivity and economic growth through generating entrepreneurship and
employment.
The
ambassador shared eagerness of the Swiss side in this regard.
Both
side discussed about the Rohingya issue and agreed that the repatriation of the
displaced people to their homeland in Myanmar with safety, security and rights
is the only solution to the crisis.
The
Swiss Ambassador assured more humanitarian support to the Rohingyas as well as
to the host communities in Cox's Bazar.
The
Swiss envoy also handed over the original congratulatory message from the Swiss
Federal Councilor to the foreign adviser.