Bangladesh, Sweden discuss security, curbing irregular migration and Rohingya crisis
Talks also cover trade, technical education and cooperation.
Highlights
- Sweden expressed concern over irregular migration and human trafficking
- Salahuddin sought support for technical education and skilled manpower development
- Bangladesh urged Sweden to increase assistance for displaced Rohingyas
- Swedish envoy stressed safe repatriation and rehabilitation of Rohingyas
Bangladesh and Sweden discussed security cooperation, preventing irregular migration, expanding trade, promoting technical education and finding a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis at a meeting in Dhaka today (11 August).
The issues came up when Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Linus Ragnar Weeks paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his office at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Secretariat.
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During the meeting, the Swedish envoy expressed concern over irregular migration to Sweden, saying some people are falling victim to irregular migration after being lured by human trafficking networks.
In response, Salahuddin said the Ministry of Home Affairs is taking strict and effective measures to prevent human trafficking. He said aspirations for a better life and inducements offered by traffickers are the main drivers of irregular migration.
The minister said the government is carrying out various initiatives, including nationwide awareness campaigns in coordination with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to address the issue.
On Rohingya crisis, Salahuddin described it as a major threat to regional security and said Sweden, as co-chair of the Rohingya Donor Group, has an important role in keeping the issue on the international agenda.
He urged Sweden to increase its support for improving the living conditions of displaced Rohingyas.
The Swedish ambassador stressed the importance of the safe repatriation and rehabilitation of the Rohingyas and reaffirmed Sweden's interest in supporting education and the overall security of Rohingya women and children.
Salahuddin said dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar is the only solution to the Rohingya crisis.
The two sides also discussed expanding bilateral trade and cooperation in technical education. The minister described Sweden as an important development partner of Bangladesh and said the government is prioritising the modernisation of technical education to create a skilled workforce.
He said plans and projects are being undertaken to establish new technical education institutions across the country.
As demand for skilled workers, including caregivers, is increasing in Sweden and other European markets, the minister sought closer Swedish cooperation in improving technical education and training in Bangladesh and facilitating the deployment of skilled workers.
The Swedish ambassador said Bangladesh is the only country in South Asia with which Sweden has a Bilateral Cooperation Strategy. He said commercial ties between the two countries are deepening, while Swedish investment is increasing in promising sectors, including ready-made garments and healthcare.
He also said around 10,000 Bangladeshis currently live in Sweden, a large proportion of whom are students.
