The new cooperation programme is guided by Swiss foreign policy priorities and the country’s international cooperation strategy. It is aligned with the Agenda 2030 and Bangladesh’s development priorities, including the Eight Five-Year Plan. The overall goal of the Swiss Cooperation Programme 2022-2025 is to support Bangladesh’s sustainable LDC graduation, promote a prosperous, just and resilient society, and contribute to peaceful coexistence. Switzerland will invest around CHF 119 million/ BDT 11 billion to implement its programme in the country over the next four years.

During Ms. Danzi’s first visit to Bangladesh, she met with senior government officials, development partners, beneficiaries and other key stakeholders to discuss a wide range of topics, including bilateral relations, international cooperation, Bangladesh’s development priorities and the Rohingya crisis. She also visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and different humanitarian and development projects funded by Switzerland in Cox’s Bazar and Gazipur districts. 

Switzerland was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh after its independence. Over the last five decades, bilateral relations between the two countries have grown broader and deeper, including on economic and international cooperation, humanitarian aid, as well as cultural and political exchanges. The two countries will celebrate the golden jubilee of their bilateral relations in 2022.