Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2022-2023

02.08.2021 — Local news Bangladesh
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Excellence Scholarships to promote international research and academic exchange between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. 

Switzerland provides additional BDT 90 crore for COVID-19 support to Bangladesh

01.07.2021 — Press release Bangladesh
As COVID-19 cases are again on the rise in Bangladesh, Switzerland is committing additional 9.8 million Swiss Francs (approximately 90 crore taka) to scale up its support for an effective community-based response. With these additional funds, Switzerland broadens its engagement with national and international partner organizations, in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, to help local communities curb the spread of the pandemic and reinforce socioeconomic resilience.  

Ambassador of Switzerland calls on the Prime Minister

10.12.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, H.E. Nathalie Chuard, today paid a courtesy visit to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina, at her official residence. The longstanding and continuously expanding bilateral relations in the areas of politics, economy and international cooperation stood at the centre of their discussion.

Switzerland and Bangladesh hold talks on trade and economic issues

18.11.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The second meeting between the Inter-agency Committee of Bangladesh and Switzerland was held in Dhaka on 18 November 2020. The Inter-agency Committee was formed by the Government of Bangladesh in September 2018 with the aim to review and address challenges of Swiss businesses and investors in Bangladesh, and to promote trade and investment between the two countries. The first Inter-agency Committee meeting took place in April 2019. 

International Day of the Girl Child

11.10.2020 — Position Bangladesh
Girls as Changemakers: Bangladesh Girl Ambassadors Voice Their Claim for an Equal Future

Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh presents her credentials

12.08.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The newly appointed Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, Ms. Nathalie Chuard, presented her credentials to the Honourable President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid, at the Presidential Palace (Bangabhaban) on 12 August 2020.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2021-2022

10.08.2020 — Local news Bangladesh
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international research and academic exchange between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. 

Stay at Home and Enjoy Switzerland

21.07.2020 — Local news Bangladesh
As the pandemic forces us all to stay at home without much possibility for international travel, take this opportunity to learn more about Switzerland and experience its nature, people and culture online! 

Switzerland supports Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response

11.04.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
As nations around the globe suffer from challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Switzerland stands by Bangladesh in facing this crisis and implementing an effective response.

Director General of SDC visits Bangladesh

05.01.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Ambassador Manuel Sager, will visit Bangladesh on 05-09 January 2020. SDC is the government agency in Switzerland responsible for international development cooperation. The objective of the visit is to better understand the key development challenges facing Bangladesh, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cox’s Bazar, and to gain a first-hand impression about Switzerland’s development interventions in Bangladesh. 

Celebration of Swiss-Bangladesh friendship

12.12.2019 — Press release Bangladesh
The Embassy of Switzerland hosted the “Swiss Night” on 12 December 2019 in Dhaka, a gala event to celebrate the longstanding friendship between Switzerland and Bangladesh. Senior government officials, international and development partners, the business community, members of the civil society and media, cultural actors, as well as Swiss citizens living in Bangladesh attended the event.

Local Joint Press Statement

26.09.2019 — Position Bangladesh

The Heads of Mission of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland visited Cox’s Bazar on 25 and 26 September 2019 and made the following local joint press statement after the visit in regard to the ongoing Rohingya crisis:

Switzerland provides additional BDT 90 crore for COVID-19 support to Bangladesh

01.07.2021 — Press release Bangladesh
As COVID-19 cases are again on the rise in Bangladesh, Switzerland is committing additional 9.8 million Swiss Francs (approximately 90 crore taka) to scale up its support for an effective community-based response. With these additional funds, Switzerland broadens its engagement with national and international partner organizations, in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, to help local communities curb the spread of the pandemic and reinforce socioeconomic resilience.  

Ambassador of Switzerland calls on the Prime Minister

10.12.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, H.E. Nathalie Chuard, today paid a courtesy visit to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina, at her official residence. The longstanding and continuously expanding bilateral relations in the areas of politics, economy and international cooperation stood at the centre of their discussion.

Switzerland and Bangladesh hold talks on trade and economic issues

18.11.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The second meeting between the Inter-agency Committee of Bangladesh and Switzerland was held in Dhaka on 18 November 2020. The Inter-agency Committee was formed by the Government of Bangladesh in September 2018 with the aim to review and address challenges of Swiss businesses and investors in Bangladesh, and to promote trade and investment between the two countries. The first Inter-agency Committee meeting took place in April 2019. 

Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh presents her credentials

12.08.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The newly appointed Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, Ms. Nathalie Chuard, presented her credentials to the Honourable President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid, at the Presidential Palace (Bangabhaban) on 12 August 2020.

Switzerland supports Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response

11.04.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
As nations around the globe suffer from challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Switzerland stands by Bangladesh in facing this crisis and implementing an effective response.

Director General of SDC visits Bangladesh

05.01.2020 — Press release Bangladesh
The Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Ambassador Manuel Sager, will visit Bangladesh on 05-09 January 2020. SDC is the government agency in Switzerland responsible for international development cooperation. The objective of the visit is to better understand the key development challenges facing Bangladesh, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cox’s Bazar, and to gain a first-hand impression about Switzerland’s development interventions in Bangladesh. 

Celebration of Swiss-Bangladesh friendship

12.12.2019 — Press release Bangladesh
The Embassy of Switzerland hosted the “Swiss Night” on 12 December 2019 in Dhaka, a gala event to celebrate the longstanding friendship between Switzerland and Bangladesh. Senior government officials, international and development partners, the business community, members of the civil society and media, cultural actors, as well as Swiss citizens living in Bangladesh attended the event.

Switzerland and Bangladesh held talks on migration

12.09.2019 — Press release Bangladesh
Switzerland and Bangladesh held a bilateral talk on matters regarding migration on 11 September 2019 in Dhaka. A Swiss delegation led by Ambassador Vincenzo Mascioli, Director International Cooperation, State Secretariat for Migration, Federal Department of Justice and Police of Switzerland, visited Bangladesh from 10 - 12 September 2019 in order to participate in this meeting, which is the first of its kind between the two countries. The objective of this meeting was to discuss about bilateral cooperation in the area of migration as well as to exchange views on the regional and multilateral processes related to labour migration.

Citizens’ participation, inclusion, accountability and governance are centrepieces of democracy

03.07.2019 — Press release Bangladesh
Speakers and participants of the roundtable discussion on features of democracy in Switzerland and Bangladesh noted that regardless of the different types of democratic practices in different countries, social accountability towards citizens and inclusion of minorities, good governance, decentralization and people’s participation are the centerpieces of democracy. The roundtable discussion was held on 03 July 2019 in Dhaka to share democratic experiences of the two countries in a dialogue. It was organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh. The Daily Star was the media partner of the event.

Political consultation between Switzerland and Bangladesh held in Dhaka

02.04.2019 — Press release Bangladesh
The fourth round of bilateral political consultations between the foreign ministries of Switzerland and Bangladesh were held in Dhaka on 02 April 2019. Ambassador Raphael Nägeli, the Assistant State Secretary for Asia-Pacific of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, and Ambassador Kamrul Ahsan, Secretary (Bilateral and Consular) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, led the respective delegations during the consultations.

Political Consultations between Switzerland and Bangladesh to be held on 02 April

31.03.2019 — Press release Bangladesh
The fourth edition of biennial bilateral political consultations between the foreign ministries of Switzerland and Bangladesh will be held in Dhaka on 02 April 2019. In order to participate in the consultations, the Swiss delegation has arrived in Dhaka on 31 March for a four-day visit. Ambassador Raphael Nägeli, the Assistant State Secretary for Asia-Pacific of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, and Ambassador Kamrul Ahsan, Secretary (Bilateral and Consular) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, will lead the respective delegations during the consultations.

Switzerland provides additional 10 million francs for Rohingya refugees

15.02.2019 — Press release EDA
In 2019, Switzerland will provide CHF 10 million and deploy experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to help tackle the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. The humanitarian crisis in eastern Bangladesh, a region that has taken in large numbers refugees, remains acute. The international Joint Response Plan seeks to raise USD 920 million to meet basic needs.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2022-2023

02.08.2021 — Local news Bangladesh
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Excellence Scholarships to promote international research and academic exchange between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. 

International Day of the Girl Child

11.10.2020 — Position Bangladesh
Girls as Changemakers: Bangladesh Girl Ambassadors Voice Their Claim for an Equal Future

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2021-2022

10.08.2020 — Local news Bangladesh
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international research and academic exchange between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. 

Stay at Home and Enjoy Switzerland

21.07.2020 — Local news Bangladesh
As the pandemic forces us all to stay at home without much possibility for international travel, take this opportunity to learn more about Switzerland and experience its nature, people and culture online! 

Local Joint Press Statement

26.09.2019 — Position Bangladesh

The Heads of Mission of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland visited Cox’s Bazar on 25 and 26 September 2019 and made the following local joint press statement after the visit in regard to the ongoing Rohingya crisis:

What type of democratic practices are suitable for achieving the SDG?

27.06.2019 — Local news Bangladesh
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organized a dialogue event on 27 June 2019 in Dhaka where participants discussed about the prevalence of various democratic practices and how each model can contribute differently towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

University of Fribourg – Scholarship programme

13.01.2019 — Article Bangladesh
University of Fribourg (Switzerland) offers young foreign researchers (with residence outside of Switzerland) an opportunity to pursue 3-4 months research stay in Switzerland on doctoral and post-doctoral levels. Interested, eligible and motivated candidates from Bangladesh are encouraged to apply.

Swiss Ambassador meets Foreign Secretary to discuss National Elections

06.01.2019 — Local news Bangladesh
On 6 January 2019 the Ambassador of Switzerland, René Holenstein met with the Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh, Md. Shahidul Haque.

Joint Local Statement on Parliamentary elections

10.12.2018 — Position Bangladesh
As the formal campaigning period for the upcoming parliamentary elections begins, the undersigned Heads of Mission of the European Union and the Heads of Mission of Norway and Switzerland call upon the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Election Commission and all stakeholders to ensure a genuine, credible, inclusive and transparent electoral process.

Swiss Film Night 2018

23.10.2018 — Article Bangladesh
On 23^rd of October, the Swiss Embassy together with its venue partner the Goethe Institut in Dhaka screened the award-winning Swiss film, The Divine Order, as a part of a series of events that will extend up to 2019.

Joint local Statement

27.09.2018 — Position Bangladesh

Dhaka, 27 September 2018                            

Joint local Statement

The Heads of Mission of the EU Member States, the European Union Delegation and the Heads of Mission of Norway and Switzerland issue the following Statement in Bangladesh:

On 19 September, the "Digital Security Act, 2018" was passed in Parliament.

We reiterate our concerns around several provisions of the Digital Security Act which unduly restrict the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media and undermine judicial procedural guarantees. In its current form the Act could be used to suppress and criminalise the legitimate exercise of these freedoms.

We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to continue consultations on this law and pursue the commitments taken during the Universal Periodic Review last May, so as to ensure that the Digital Security Act will be in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Constitution of Bangladesh.

-End-

Celebrate and stand up for Human Rights in Rajshahi

10.09.2018 — Local news Bangladesh
To celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to highlight the importance of Human Rights, a panel discussion and film screening event took place on 10 September 2018 in Rajshahi. The Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and human rights NGO Ain-o-Salish Kendra (ASK) jointly organized the event.