The Chief Advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, informed that the interim government is preparing for both the national parliamentary elections and local government elections. This was shared with Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nikola Beer, when he met with the Chief Advisor at the State Guest House, Jamuna, in Dhaka on Wednesday. Professor Yunus briefed Mr. Beer in detail about the interim government’s plans for the upcoming national and local elections in Bangladesh, stating that preparations are underway for both elections.
Nikola Beer, the Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), promised to assist in the implementation of the important reform activities undertaken by the interim government. He told the Chief Advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, “The European Union (EU) has the technical expertise to support the implementation of reform activities. We have come at a very challenging time, and we support the interim government and its reform agenda.”
Referring to the support in the reform process, Mr. Beer told Professor Yunus, “Whatever you wish to do, let us know. The interim government of Bangladesh is not just working; they are implementing initiatives that bring effective results, and it is important to prove this.”
Professor Yunus described the current time as an opportune moment and requested the assistance of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in formulating a comprehensive plan for combating corruption, the green transition in the energy sector, and the management of the Sundarbans and its surrounding areas, as well as river management.
The Chief Advisor also sought EIB’s cooperation in simplifying the services at the Port of Chittagong and improving water management in the northern regions. He mentioned that the development of Bangladesh’s largest port would benefit not only the eastern region of India but also Myanmar.
In September last year, the Chief Advisor mentioned his meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (EC), during the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. During the meeting, they discussed potential areas of support for combating corruption and shifting Bangladesh’s focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The Chief Advisor also noted that he had recently discussed many areas of cooperation with EU ambassadors.
Present at the meeting were the Chief Advisor’s special envoy Lutfo Siddique, Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Mahmud Chowdhury, Chief Coordinator for SDGs at the Chief Advisor’s office Lamia Morshed, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Shahriar Kader Siddique, and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller.
