Norwegian state secretary reaffirms support for Bangladesh

Stine Renate Haheim, state secretary for International Development of the Government of Norway, today (20 May) called on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House, Jamuna, reaffirming Norway's continued support for Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the Norwegian state secretary conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and highlighted Norway's longstanding relationship with Bangladesh.

"You are a well-known figure in Norway," she told the chief adviser. "Our prime minister often speaks of you with great admiration. You have been friends for a long time."

Yunus reflected on the deep and historic ties between the two countries.

"Norway has always stood by Bangladesh during critical moments. Your role in our development journey is undeniable," he said.

Haheim emphasised Norway's commitment to multilateral cooperation and democratic transitions. "We came here to show our support for the democratization of Bangladesh," she said.

"The responsibility on your shoulders is immense and expectations are high among the people of Bangladesh," she added.

Yunus spoke about the challenges the nation has faced in recent months.

"Many lives were lost during the July uprising and our economy suffered immense damage. The previous regime enabled the laundering of an estimated $16 billion annually," he said.

"Loans were treated like gifts, and we inherited a staggering pile of unpaid bills," he added.

Despite the hardships, Yunus said global confidence in Bangladesh is growing. "At the recent BIDA Summit, the world's top companies came to see our situation first-hand, including some from Norway. They came not out of obligation, but out of curiosity and belief in what's possible here."

The chief adviser also urged Norway to continue supporting Bangladesh on humanitarian fronts, particularly in regard to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.

"These are real people with real aspirations. The young people of the Rohingya community need hope," he said.

"Many of them came as children, aged 7 or 10, and are now teenagers. They've grown up in camps. Every day, more children are born into a future with no certainty. They want to go back home, but they're stuck in limbo. We must not forget them," he mentioned.

Haheim acknowledged the scale of the humanitarian challenge and reiterated Norway's commitment.

"We deeply appreciate how Bangladesh has taken the lead in addressing this crisis. We want to expand our relationship beyond development assistance toward a broader and dynamic partnership," she said.

The meeting was also attended by Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Mosharaf Hossain.

Norway lauds interim govt to implement democratic reforms 

Visiting Norwegian State Secretary for International Development Stine Renate Haheim today reaffirmed Norway's support for Bangladesh's interim government and commended its efforts to maintain stability and implement democratic reforms. 

She made the remarks during a meeting with foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the foreign ministry, said a ministry's press release.

During the meeting, State Secretary Haheim laid emphasis on deepening bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Norway.

She also praised Bangladesh for its continued generosity in hosting a large number of Rohingyas from Myanmar.

Hossain expressed his appreciation for Norway's longstanding development assistance and its growing engagement in Bangladesh's private sector.

The adviser stressed the need for greater international burden-sharing and called for a sustainable resolution to the Rohingya crisis, including the early repatriation of forcibly displaced people of Myanmar.

He also underscored the importance of Bangladesh's vibrant and rapidly growing youth population in shaping the country's future - through fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and strengthening democratic resilience.

Both the adviser and the state secretary highlighted the need for maintaining close cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to working together to address contemporary challenges. 

The Norwegian state secretary is currently on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. 

She is scheduled to visit the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar tomorrow to gain firsthand insight into the ongoing humanitarian needs and challenges.