Dhaka Bureau: French President Emmanuel Macron has commented that Bangladesh has made unprecedented economic progress in the past few years. He made this comment at the dinner organized in honor of the French President at the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital on Sunday (September 10). The French President said that Bangladesh has established its own position in the world through extensive development. There has been great progress in trade, industry, and culture. Climate change is a big challenge that Bangladesh is facing.
The beauty of various lakes, rivers, and canals, especially the natural environment like the Sundarbans, plays a significant role in this. Emmanuel Macron said that the friendship between Bangladesh and France is long-standing. If I look back, we were there for each other through the tough times. Now there is regular contact between the people of our two countries. 52 years ago, we felt we belonged to the same family. After the liberation war, our focus was on the independence and sovereignty of the friendly countries. Keeping it intact, there has been unprecedented economic development in Bangladesh in the last few years. He also said that we want the two countries to travel together for a long time.
I am seeking your (Sheikh Hasina’s) help to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries and for a better future. The President of France also commented that we want to open new horizons in the relations between the two countries. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the dinner. The dinner was preceded by a cultural performance. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that, since independence, France has been our trusted development partner. Our partnership can play a role in solving various problems in the world, including crises and climate change.
The French President arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a two-day visit after the G-20 summit in India at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed him with flowers around 8:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Macron was given a red-carpet reception. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Hotel Intercontinental via the Dhaka Elevated Expressway from the airport. This is the first journey of a foreign president on the much-awaited Dhaka Elevated Expressway.
On Monday morning, the French President will pay tribute to the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi number 32. After paying homage to Bangabandhu’s portrait, the French President will participate in a summit meeting with Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s office. This is the first visit by a French president to Dhaka in the last 33 years. It is known that two bilateral agreements will be signed between France and Bangladesh during Macron’s visit.
