Dhaka, 15 September — A French parliamentary delegation paid a courtesy call on Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad at his office today, marking a step forward in bilateral diplomatic engagement.
The delegation, comprising Senators Pierre‑Alain Roiron, Olivier Henno and Guillaume Chevrollier, highlighted France’s long‑standing friendship with Bangladesh, recalling the support of French citizen André Malraux during Bangladesh’s War of Liberation.
Speaker Ahmad noted that France is Bangladesh’s second‑largest trading partner in Europe and expressed optimism that relations could be deepened through the creation of a France‑Bangladesh Parliamentary Caucus.
During the talks, the French senators emphasized the need to expand parliamentary diplomacy and proposed the formation of a joint parliamentary committee to facilitate regular dialogue between the two legislatures.
A key focus of the meeting was economic cooperation. The delegation urged increased French investment in the exploration and drilling of oil and gas wells in Bangladesh’s coastal zones, citing the sector’s growth potential.
Ahmad welcomed the proposal, stating that enhanced parliamentary ties and foreign investment would support Bangladesh’s energy security and broader development goals.
The French delegation concluded by inviting Speaker Ahmad and a Bangladeshi parliamentary group to visit France, signalling a commitment to deepen cooperation across diplomatic and economic fronts.
Why it matters
The proposed parliamentary committee aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and attract French investment in Bangladesh’s offshore oil‑gas sector.