French President Macron in Dhaka

Diplomatic Correspondent: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Dhaka on a two-day visit after the G-20 summit in India. He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday (September 10) around 8 pm. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed him with flowers around 8:30 pm. Meanwhile, Macron was given a red-carpet reception. This is the first visit of 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.
After reaching Dhaka, French President Macron will attend the banquet organized by the Prime Minister. Today, he will pay tribute to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 32 Dhanmondi.
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. After signing the bilateral agreement, both leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference.
During the French President’s visit to Bangladesh, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Catherine Colonna is staying with him. The government of Bangladesh and France hope that the existing friendly relations between the two countries will expand and reach new heights through Macron’s visit.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited France in November 2021 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron is the first leader to visit Bangladesh after former French President Mitterrand’s visit to Bangladesh during 22 to 24 February 1990. Bilateral trade relations between the two countries have come a long way since Mitterrand’s visit.
At present, the total trade between Bangladesh and France has increased from 210 million euros to 4.9 billion euros and France is the fifth country in terms of exports. French companies are now involved in Bangladesh’s various sectors including engineering, energy, space and water.