The Norwegian government, which has a stake in Grameenphone (GP), yesterday sought a mutually satisfactory solution to the issue of the mobile phone operator facing fine by the Supreme Court (SC) over its disputed audit claim.

“We have raised some concerns about the issue. Of course, it’s upon the court, but we hope it can be amicably sorted out and we can find out some mutually satisfactory solution to the issue,” said Norwegian Foreign Secretary Tore Hattrem.

Hattrem said this after attending the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) meeting between Bangladesh and Norway at the state guest house Padma in the capital.

On February 23, GP provided Tk 1,000 crore to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in compliance with the SC's order.

On November 24 last year, the SC’s Appellate Division had asked GP to pay Tk 2,000 crore out of the Tk 12,579.95 crore dues claimed by the BTRC within three months. The deadline expired on February 23 this year.

GP will now have to pay Tk 1,000 crore as the next

installment within three months.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said, “We have

elaborately discussed the Telenor issue. As per the court’s order, they have already submitted Tk 1,000 crore and will submit the next installment of Tk 1,000 crore within three months.”

“In the meeting, we discussed the next course of action. They have sought the full verdict of the court from us in the shortest possible time. We would communicate with the office of the attorney general,” he added.  “They have informed us that Telenor and the Norwegian government have a big chunk of share here. If the problem can be resolved amicably in the quickest possible time, Norwegian investment would increase in the future as they have their investment in petroleum and the share market now,” Momen mentioned.  “We would expect the problem to be quickly resolved through legal proceedings. We have an international business environment and want to create a level playing field for all,” he added.

Asked if they had any discussion on the Rohingya issue, Momen said, “We shared our notes on the Rohingya situation, especially after the ruling of the International Court of Justice.” “You know that Norway is a candidate for the Security Council non-permanent membership. The election would be held very soon. Norway has assured us that they will play a more robust role in the Rohingya issue if they are elected,” he added.

Asked if Norway would be a third party to resolve the crisis, Tore Hattrem said, “For the time being, it is not assuming that role. But it’s not the final decision. We are not ready to do it at present. If we become a member of the Security Council, it would be an important part to find a solution for speedy return of the Rohingyas.”