France has expressed its readiness to support Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Interim Government in their efforts to rebuild the nation following recent turmoil.
The French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marie Masdupuy, made this remark during a courtesy call on the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Ambassador Masdupuy conveyed a message from French President Emmanuel Macron, inviting Professor Yunus to visit France at a convenient time to discuss bilateral cooperation and support.
During the meeting, Masdupuy extended her condolences for the loss of lives during the July-August revolution.
In response, Dr Yunus highlighted the significance of the student-led revolution, saying that it provided an unprecedented opportunity for the Interim Government to rebuild the country.
“It is a big task, but we see it as a big opportunity. If we don’t use the opportunity, it will be a big failure,” Dr Yunus said.
He emphasized the Interim Government’s commitment to serving the country “as short as the people want or as long as they want,” and called for national reconciliation, urging citizens to view themselves as part of “a big family.”
“Sometimes we disagree very strongly. But that does not mean we are enemies,” he added, stressing the government’s dedication to protecting the rights of every citizen and upholding the constitution.
Ambassador Masdupuy affirmed France’s ongoing collaboration with Bangladesh’s civil defense forces and expressed interest in extending expertise in various areas, including anti-corruption efforts, human trafficking prevention, forensic cybercrime, port and airport security, and financial crime.
She also invited Professor Yunus to attend the 65th anniversary celebration of the Alliance Française Dhaka in October and announced that France would host a two-week-long Bangladesh cultural season in Paris in April 2025.
The French envoy highlighted that the Interim Government’s strong stance against corruption could be a “key enabler” for enhancing trade and investment in Bangladesh, as many French firms face challenges with customs and investment authorities.
She revealed that French companies are interested in setting up three solar parks in Bangladesh and installing lightning arresters in 15 lightning-prone districts across the country.
