Steps taken to strengthen democracy

FM tells friendship group in France

23 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Diplomatic Correspondent

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni yesterday said that the government has taken up various measures to strengthen democratic institutions aiming to continue multi-party process in Bangladesh. She said the government also laid emphasis on development of human rights, women's empowerment, child education and poverty eradication. The foreign minister, who is now on a visit to France, was exchanging views with the leaders of French Bangladesh Friendship Group at French National Assembly yesterday, says a foreign ministry press release. Dipu Moni along with her delegation members arrived in Paris on Sunday on her first bilateral visit to France on June 20-23. She briefed French Bangladesh Friendship Group President Paul Giacobbi about various initiatives taken by the government and different facade of the present government. Dipu Moni gave the French parliamentary group a vivid picture of economic progress and the present trend of growth. She indicated the expansion of Bangladesh's export to France, which for the first time crossed the billion-dollar mark in the last financial year and continues to increase. The FM during her meeting illustrated different incentives and opportunities offered by the government and the country through its authorities and instruments and requested the French Bangladesh Friendship Group to influence the government of France and the private sectors to accumulate more investment in Bangladesh. The French Bangladesh Friendship Group expressed its satisfaction at the level of business and trade existing between the two countries. The group assured Dipu Moni of its continuous support and cooperation on bilateral political relation and economic development of Bangladesh. The president of the friendship group Paul Giacobbi told Dipu Moni that officials of the group will visit Bangladesh in November to explore further scope of cooperation between France and Bangladesh.