Key highlights:
- Dhaka-Paris trade volume was $5.34b in 2023
- France fourth largest export destination for Bangladesh
- $253m French investment in Lafarge-Surma Cement in Chhatak
The historical bond between Bangladesh and France has been consistently warm. Celebrating 50 years of bilateral relations on February 14, 2022, both nations have achieved noteworthy progress in socio-political and economic spheres.
The journey began on February 14, 1972, when the French government officially recognized the newly independent Bangladesh. By March 17 of the same year, diplomatic relations were solidified with the establishment of the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris.
You can also read: Evolving UK-Bangladesh Bilateral Relationship
Over nearly 52 years, high-level state visits have played a pivotal role in strengthening ties. Notably, in 1990, French President Francois Mitterrand’s visit to Bangladesh elevated relations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reciprocated in 1999 with a bilateral visit to Paris. The momentum continued in 2021, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned to France, signing three significant agreements with President Emmanuel Macron. The following year saw Macron reciprocate the visit, further cementing the enduring friendship between the two nations.
France’s Contribution to Development of Bangladesh
Liberation War: The people of France made a significant contribution to the liberation war of Bangladesh which will be remembered forever. The French government morally supported our liberation war.
They provided 20 tons of medicine and medical supplies to nearly one crore refugees who crossed the border and took shelter in the Indian state of West Bengal in the face of the Pakistan military’s brutal crackdown on the people of Bangladesh.
Globally prominent French writer and philosopher Andre Malraux visited the refugee camps in West Bengal, announcing the formation of an ‘international brigade’ to fight for Bangladesh.
Malraux, who visited Bangladesh in 1973 to meet Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was awarded the ‘Muktijuddha Maitri Sammanana’ for his contribution to the liberation war.
Economic relation: The trade volume between the two countries has reached from €210 million in 1990 to €4.9 billion ($5.34 billion) in 2023. Various French companies are now working in Bangladesh in the engineering, energy, aerospace, and water sectors. The possibilities are endless if both countries, especially Bangladesh, continue to explore and engage in mutually beneficial projects.
France is the fourth largest export destination for Bangladesh. Readymade garments account for around 90% of our export earnings from France. Export of other products such as leather and footwear, shrimps and frozen fish, ceramic, and pharmaceutical articles have also increased in recent years.
The most notable French investment is the Lafarge-Surma cement factory ($253 million) in Chhatak with a capacity of 1.2 million tons per year. French company Total has invested in an LPG factory in Chattogram.
Besides financial support, Bangladesh also received technological support from France while implementing the Bangabandhu-1 satellite project.
Education, cultural and scientific cooperation: The two countries signed an Agreement on Cultural, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in 1987.
France runs two Alliance Francaise centers in Dhaka (established in 1959) and in Chattogram (established in 1965). These centers work on developing the cultural ties between both countries by sponsoring local and French cultural activities. France also runs an archaeological cooperation program since 1993 at Mahasthangarh of Bogura, an important archaeological site dating back to the fourth century BCE.
France-Bangladesh military relations: In the military field, Bangladesh’s exchange with France has increased a lot recently. On November 9, 2021, a ‘Letter of Intent’ was signed between the two sides during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Paris. France agreed to assist Bangladesh in the transfer of various types of military equipment and technology according to its needs.
Currently, Bangladesh Army officers are participating in a training program at the famous French military institute Ecole Militaire. Significant military delegations have visited the two countries since 2020.
France showed interest in selling its Rafale fighter jets to Bangladesh. The French defense minister also visited Bangladesh in 2020 to discuss the issue.
Collaboration on Rohingya crisis: France and Bangladesh discussed the Rohingya issue. They are ready to work on whatever steps are needed to resolve this issue quickly. France is committed to providing full support for any initiative taken by Bangladesh regarding the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.
It should be noted that Bangladesh has previously received the assistance of France to solve the Rohingya problem. France arranged several high-level meetings at the United Nations early in the crisis.
Macron’s visit takes relationship to new level: Friendly relations between Bangladesh and France reached a new level through French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Dhaka in September 2023.
During his visit, two agreements were signed between Dhaka and Paris. The agreements are – $20 crore loan assistance for the development of urban infrastructure in Bangladesh and an agreement regarding the purchase of the Bangabandhu-2 satellite. Apart from this, Bangladesh also committed to purchase 10 aircraft from Airbus, a French company.
France wants more strategic collaboration
On January 25, 2024, during a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at the latter’s office, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy expressed interest of the French government to have more strategic collaboration and partnership in the areas of climate change, migration, cybersecurity, ICT, defense, aviation, space, economic reforms, and vocational education and skills development.
“France is interested in having more strategic collaboration with Bangladesh in the areas of climate change, migration, cybersecurity, ICT, defense, aviation, space, and economic reforms.”
– Marie Masdupuy, French Ambassador to Bangladesh
Requesting enhanced cooperation in archaeological missions and the exchange of cultural troupes, she informed that France will host a two-week-long festival on Bangladeshi culture and arts in Paris next year.
The foreign minister thanked the French government for its development cooperation as well over the years, including financial commitments of Euro 1 billion for the next 3 years.
Conclusion
France is trying to strategically strengthen its position in South Asia by building strong ties with Bangladesh. Dhaka and Paris want each other as partners. When Bangladesh will graduate from the list of LDC countries to a developing country in 2026, it will need France’s help to join the European Union’s GSP Plus program. The GSP Plus scheme is essential to keep the export trade of Bangladesh dynamic.
France is one of the largest powers in the European Union and one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Bangladesh will surely benefit if it can get the diplomatic support of France. France is also working with the United States on various geopolitical issues, which is positive for Bangladesh. Their diplomatic support will help Bangladesh deepen its ties with the United States.
