France is ready to support Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and his interim government in their efforts to rebuild the country, France Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy said on Wednesday (Aug 28). The envoy came up with assurance when she paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka, local media reported.
She said French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Prof Yunus to visit France at a convenient time. Masdupuy also expressed her condolences at the death of students and people who were killed in the July-August revolution.
During the meeting, Prof Yunus said the student-led revolution has given the interim government an opportunity to rebuild the country. "It is a big task. But we see it as a big opportunity. If we don't use the opportunity, it will be a big failure," Chief Adviser's Press Wing quoted Prof Yunus as saying. He said the interim government will stay in office "as short as the people want or as long as they want".
The chief adviser said he has called for reconciliation in the country, urging the people to see themselves as part of "a big family". "Sometimes, we disagree very strongly. But that does not mean we are enemies," he said.
Prof Yunus said his government is committed to protecting the rights of every citizen. "Let's establish human rights. Our job is to make the constitution work for us," he said.
Masdupuy said France was already working with Bangladesh's civil defence forces and was interested in extending expertise to fight corruption, human trafficking, forensic cyber crime, port and airport security and financial crime.
The French envoy said the Alliance Francaise Dhaka would celebrate its 65th anniversary next October and she invited Prof Yunus at the ceremony. She said France was also preparing a two-week long Bangladesh cultural season in Paris in April 2025.
The French envoy said the Interim Government's agenda to fight corruption would be a "key enabler" to further enhance trade and investments in Bangladesh as many were facing hurdles with customs and investment authority. She said French firms were interested in setting up three solar parks in Bangladesh and installing "lightning arresters" in 15 lightning prone districts in the country.
