Published: 11:48 AM, 14 April 2026
German, Swedish envoys meet Commerce Minister
German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rdiger Lotz and Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks held separate meetings with Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.
During the meetings held at the minister's office, a wide range of issues relating to bilateral trade, investment and economic collaboration were discussed in detail, reports BSS.
They also underscored the need to enhance bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation. The Commerce Minister said Europe remains a major destination for Bangladesh's export products and noted that both sides stand to benefit from expanded trade cooperation.
He mentioned that certain non-tariff barriers persist in trade with European Union countries, adding that the Ministry of Commerce has already initiated discussions with relevant ministries to address those challenges.
Muktadir invited Germany to invest in Bangladesh's light engineering, textile and leather sectors, highlighting that the government has undertaken multiple initiatives to create an investment-friendly environment.
Stressing the importance of foreign investment, he said that generating employment for nearly 2 to 2.2 million people entering the workforce annually requires increased external investment, said a Commerce Ministry press release.
German Ambassador Dr Rdiger Lotz expressed his country's keen interest in strengthening trade relations with Bangladesh. He emphasized cooperation in skill development for market-oriented sectors and development of potential markets and also underscored the need for ensuring a level playing field in business and trade. Later, Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks met the Commerce Minister. The meeting discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and economic ties between the two countries.
