French Delegation Seeks Investment in Bangladesh’s Oil, Gas Sector

A French parliamentary delegation on Tuesday proposed forming a France-Bangladesh parliamentary committee and called for increased French investment in oil and gas exploration in Bangladesh’s coastal areas.

The delegation, comprising French senators Pierre-Alain Roiron, Olivier Henno and Guillaume Chevrollier, paid a courtesy call on Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad at his office.

During the meeting, the Speaker said France had been a trusted friend of Bangladesh since the Liberation War.

He said France was Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner in Europe and expressed hope that bilateral relations would be further strengthened through the formation of a France-Bangladesh Parliamentary Caucus.

Hafiz Uddin said the democratic rights of Bangladesh’s people had been undermined during the 15-year period of what he described as “authoritarian rule” by the Awami League.

He said Bangladeshis were deeply committed to democracy and had never surrendered to autocratic rule.

The Speaker also praised the significant role played by French citizen André Malraux during Bangladesh’s Liberation War and paid tribute to his memory.

The French delegation emphasised the importance of expanding parliamentary diplomacy through the formation of a France-Bangladesh parliamentary committee.

They also stressed the need to increase French investment in oil and gas exploration and drilling activities in Bangladesh’s coastal areas.

On behalf of the French Senate, the delegation invited the Speaker and a Bangladeshi parliamentary delegation to visit France.