Foreigners still at risk

Danish envoy tells a meet

Foreigners living in Bangladesh are still not safe, despite various measures taken by the government of the host country and different missions, Danish ambassador to Dhaka Mikael Hemniti Winther said yesterday. Since the terrorist attacks on Holy Artisan Bakery July 1, last year, he said that although about 10 months have gone by, the foreigners are even now affected mentally, psychologically and emotionally.
“It’s still risky for the foreigners. I cannot move around as I move in Denmark,” the envoy told a questioner at ‘DCAB Talk’, the signature programme of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh, at the National Press Club.
“We were very affected mentally, psychologically and emotionally,” he said.
“But, we now feel better than before and we are happy for the assurance of the government in ensuring the security of the foreigners,” said the Danish ambassador, flanked by DCAB president Rezaul Karim and general secretary Pantho Rahaman.
“Foreigners are exposed to attacks...Our country is also exposed,” he added.
The envoy also talked about various issues including challenges Bangladesh faces in attracting foreign investment, Rampal power plant, climate change, good governance, human rights, space for civil society, Rohingyas and freedom of press.
To a question regarding investment, Winther said that Bangladesh can attract much more foreign direct investment (FDI) that now if major challenges like governance,
corruption and infrastructure can be addressed.
“In line with the Bangladesh’s GDP, foreign investment is much lower. Even, the Danish investment is much lower than that of I would want,” he said, adding that about 70 Danish companies are doing businesses in Bangladesh in association with local partners.
Striking a note of optimism, the diplomat said that Bangladesh is ‘slowly’ turning to a trading partner rather than an aid partner and the two-way trade between Dhaka and Copenhagen has doubled since 2011. “Denmark is a longstanding development partner of Bangladesh. We believe in an inclusive, pro-poor and sustainable growth approach as promotion of human rights,” he said.  When asked about Rampal power plant project, which, according to many, can harm UNESCO heritage site the Sunderbans, the ambassador declined to make any comment on any particular project, but said that generally it is preferable if the opinions of the experts are given proper importance.
Placing great emphasis on overall freedom of press, he said that they are closely following the much-talked about article 57 of the ICT Act.
“Key reasons why Denmark is a happy countries include social security, freedom of expression, trust – both in each other and in public institutions, good governance, work life balance, wealth and a strong civil society,” said the envoy.

Foreigners still at risk

Danish envoy tells a meet

Foreigners living in Bangladesh are still not safe, despite various measures taken by the government of the host country and different missions, Danish ambassador to Dhaka Mikael Hemniti Winther said yesterday. Since the terrorist attacks on Holy Artisan Bakery July 1, last year, he said that although about 10 months have gone by, the foreigners are even now affected mentally, psychologically and emotionally. Its still risky for the foreigners. I cannot move around as I move in Denmark, the envoy told a questioner at DCAB Talk, the signature programme of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh, at the National Press Club. We were very affected mentally, psychologically and emotionally, he said. But, we now feel better than before and we are happy for the assurance of the government in ensuring the security of the foreigners, said the Danish ambassador, flanked by DCAB president Rezaul Karim and general secretary Pantho Rahaman. Foreigners are exposed to attacks...Our country is also exposed, he added. The envoy also talked about various issues including challenges Bangladesh faces in attracting foreign investment, Rampal power plant, climate change, good governance, human rights, space for civil society, Rohingyas and freedom of press. To a question regarding investment, Winther said that Bangladesh can attract much more foreign direct investment (FDI) that now if major challenges like governance, corruption and infrastructure can be addressed. In line with the Bangladeshs GDP, foreign investment is much lower. Even, the Danish investment is much lower than that of I would want, he said, adding that about 70 Danish companies are doing businesses in Bangladesh in association with local partners. Striking a note of optimism, the diplomat said that Bangladesh is slowly turning to a trading partner rather than an aid partner and the two-way trade between Dhaka and Copenhagen has doubled since 2011. Denmark is a longstanding development partner of Bangladesh. We believe in an inclusive, pro-poor and sustainable growth approach as promotion of human rights, he said. When asked about Rampal power plant project, which, according to many, can harm UNESCO heritage site the Sunderbans, the ambassador declined to make any comment on any particular project, but said that generally it is preferable if the opinions of the experts are given proper importance. Placing great emphasis on overall freedom of press, he said that they are closely following the much-talked about article 57 of the ICT Act. Key reasons why Denmark is a happy countries include social security, freedom of expression, trust both in each other and in public institutions, good governance, work life balance, wealth and a strong civil society, said the envoy.