Newly appointed German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday and discussed issues related to the upcoming national election, trade, investment and broader bilateral cooperation.
The hour-long meeting, which began around 10:30am, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Acting Chairman’s Adviser on International Affairs Humayun Kabir, and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Amir Khosru said the discussion covered future cooperation between Bangladesh and Germany beyond trade and investment, including cultural exchange and skills development.
“We discussed how we can work together on skills development in the coming days, how to expand existing trade,” he said.
Khosru said they also discussed increasing German investment in Bangladesh.
“You all know that one of BNP’s main plans, if it comes to power, is to create jobs for 10 million people within 18 months. To make this happen, our key focus is skill development. People need proper skills to get jobs in different sectors. We are giving special importance to technology and artificial intelligence because, without technology, the economy cannot move forward. In this area, Germany’s support is very important,” he said.
The BNP leader said Germany has already invested in China and India and now considers Bangladesh a promising destination for future investment.
“We expect to see German investment in Bangladesh as they have both initiatives and interest in this area,” he added.
Khosru said the BNP has already sent its action plans on improving the investment environment to every embassy.
Referring to the political situation, the BNP leader said everyone, including Germany, is waiting for a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh.
Like other countries, he said, Germany wants Bangladesh to hold the election as soon as possible so that an elected government can take office and make short-, medium- and long-term decisions.
“So, they are all waiting for that — for an elected government and parliament to be in place as early as possible through a fair and credible election that will be accountable to the people and widely accepted internationally,” Khosru said.
Responding to a question about three foreign envoys meeting an Awami League leader, he said BNP is not at all concerned about where diplomats hold their meetings or with whom.
“Such meetings are not important in politics. Many meetings take place that you don’t even hear about. They make little difference in politics. What truly matters is bringing back a democratic order in Bangladesh’s future,” the BNP leader said.
Speaking about the July Charter, he said, “Whether it is called a referendum, reform, or consensus commission—whatever issues we agree on, we will move forward with those. Where there is no agreement, every political party has the right to take those matters to the people. Beyond that, there is no further discussion.”
Khosru said it is the people of Bangladesh—not any political party or leader—who have the full authority to decide the country’s future. “If there is consensus, that’s fine; if not, take your proposal to the people and seek their mandate in the next election. No party has the right to impose anything on others.”
Replying to another question, the BNP leader said the party will make well-considered decisions when choosing its candidates. “It is natural for a big political party to have several aspirants, but once nominations are finalised, everyone will work together. We’ll announce the list of our candidates at the right time,” he added.