In December 2024, the Swiss Parliament approved the Swiss International Cooperation Strategy 2025–2028, which includes significant budget reductions. As part of the measures to adapt to these changes, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will gradually phase out its Bilateral Cooperation Programme with Bangladesh by 2028.

Despite the phasing out of the bilateral programme, the Embassy of Switzerland will continue its presence in Bangladesh. Switzerland remains committed to fostering strong diplomatic and economic relations with the country. Through a Whole-of-Government Approach, the Embassy will maintain engagement in key areas such as the humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis, climate change, migration and economic development.

The future format and scale of Swiss involvement in these areas are currently under development and will require formal approval from the SDC Board of Directors during the 2025–2028 transition period. Throughout this transition, the Embassy will ensure that the phasing out of the Bilateral Cooperation Programme is carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner.

As of 2029, Switzerland will no longer maintain a bilateral development cooperation programme in Bangladesh.

Approach and partners

In Bangladesh, Switzerland works with a wide array of partners ranging from different government agencies to civil society actors and the private sector. The types of partnerships vary according to the individual programmes and projects that are supported by Switzerland.

At the global level, Switzerland provides core contributions to multilateral banks, organisations and international NGOs. These contributions are channelled through global programmes, as well as time-bound thematic and/or strategic funding modalities. Switzerland also has capital investments in international financing institutions benefitting Bangladesh. Switzerland applies a broad range of grants-based aid modalities, including national implementation of programmes and projects through a wide array of partners, co-financing and matching grants, as well as direct project implementation, material assistance and secondments in emergency contexts.

At the country level, Switzerland has two main modalities for funding: contribution agreements and fully Swiss-supported interventions with national and international organisations. Contribution agreements are on a cost and risk sharing basis, where the financial commitment from implementing partners depends on the type of partnership and the specific interventions.

For selection of implementing partners, Switzerland identifies champions from the diverse and broad range of potential organisations in Bangladesh and showcases good practices to facilitate buy-in and leadership, take results to scale and ensure sustainability. The main partnerships are with:

• Government of Bangladesh
• Non-Government Organisations (international and local)
• Civil Society Networks
• Community-Based Organisations
• Think Tanks
• Academia
• Private sector actors (financial market actors, cottage, small and medium size enterprises including start-ups, different supply chain providers, service providers, business associations and chambers of commerce).

In addition, there are partnerships with the International Finance Corporation, World Custom’s Organisation, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the United Nations agencies.

Switzerland also engages actively with other bilateral donors such as Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom, by supporting contribution agreements for different programmes and projects.