National Day of France
Franco-Bangladeshi Economic Relationship
Economic relation between Bangladesh and France is faring well. In 2016, overall trade volume between the two countries increased by more than 8.0%. It is mostly fuelled by RMG which accounted for more than 99% of Bangladeshi exports to France. The value of exports from Bangladesh to France increased by 15.3% to EUR 2.4 billion, while French exports to Bangladesh only reached EUR 189 million. France is Bangladeshs fourth largest export market.
To reduce the huge trade deficit that we are dealing with, France is eager to put its world acclaimed know-how and experiences at the service of Bangladesh and its people, especially in the fields of Aeronautics, Space Industry, Railways, Digital Security, Water treatment, etc
Sustainable urban development is another field where our two countries should be strengthening their cooperation. Under the VIVAPOLIS umbrella, the French Government and representatives from the private sector promote cities environmental performances which determine populations health and well-being, as well as citys competitiveness in terms of better management of consumption and waste. Low Carbon Cities in Southeast-Asia, Development and Optimization of Mandalays Infrastructure and Municipal Services (Water, Waste, Transport and Energy) and Expansion of the Water Treatment and Distribution Capacity of the City of Phnom Penh are, among others, the ongoing projects abroad.
To achieve their goals, cities must rely on progress provided by new technologies as well as on organizing new methods of governance, adapted to their particular contexts. Innovation has always been the biggest strength and priority of France. France is becoming a Startup Nation, a home to vibrant tech hubs and talents and imbued with a strong entrepreneurial culture. This spirit gave birth to a movement entitled La French Tech which is, above all, an international project aiming at bringing together a thriving community of multi-national entrepreneurs.
The individual strength of both France and Bangladesh are to be amply utilized and exchanged in order to extract the mutual economic social benefits.
France and its companies are committed to maintain their actions and establish partnerships which would allow Bangladesh to reach its ambitious targets.
Franois PETIT, Economic Counsellor, Head of the Economic Department
