During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on various matters of mutual interest, including security, prevention of irregular migration, expansion of trade, expansion of technical education and increase in the areas of technical assistance, and a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
In the meeting, the Home Minister, referring to Sweden as an important development partner of Bangladesh, said the present government is placing special emphasis on creating skilled and world-class human resources through modernisation of technical education. To this end, plans and projects are being undertaken to establish new technical education institutions in various parts of the country. He said the demand for skilled manpower, including caregivers, in the European market including Sweden is increasing day by day. The minister expressed the expectation of close cooperation from the Swedish government in improving the quality of technical education in Bangladesh, strengthening training, and exporting skilled manpower.
During the discussion, the Swedish ambassador said that among South Asian countries, Sweden has a 'Bilateral Cooperation Strategy' only with Bangladesh. He said Sweden's commercial relations with Bangladesh are deepening and Swedish investment is increasing more and more in various promising sectors, including ready-made garments and healthcare. He further informed that currently around 10,000 Bangladeshis are residing in Sweden, a large portion of whom are students.
Expressing concern over irregular migration to Sweden, the ambassador said some innocent people are falling victim to irregular migration due to the lure of unscrupulous human trafficking gangs. In response, the minister said the Home Ministry is taking very strict and effective measures to prevent human trafficking. The expectation of a better life and the lure of traffickers are the main reasons behind this. To eradicate this problem, multifaceted activities, including increasing public awareness across the country, are being carried out in coordination with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Referring to the Rohingya crisis as a major threat to the security of the entire region, the minister said that since Sweden is a co-chair of the Rohingya Donor Group, their role is important in keeping the issue in front of the international community. At this time, the minister urged increasing the amount of assistance to improve the living standards of the displaced Rohingyas. The Swedish ambassador placed special emphasis on the safe repatriation and rehabilitation of Rohingyas and reiterated Sweden's interest in working on the education and overall security of Rohingya women and children. The minister stated that a dignified and durable return to Myanmar is the only solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and concerned representatives of the Swedish Embassy in Bangladesh were present at the meeting.
