Dhaka, June 16, 2026
Germany has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening engagement with Bangladesh following a high-level visit by senior officials from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Frank Hartmann, Director General for Asia and the Pacific, and Steffen Koch, Head of the South Asia Division, visited Bangladesh from June 9 to 11, holding meetings with government officials, civil society representatives and business leaders.
Accompanied by German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, the delegation met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Acting Foreign Secretary Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam and other senior officials. Discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, trade, democratic transition and the Rohingya crisis.
German officials praised Bangladesh’s democratic progress following recent elections, while Bangladeshi authorities expressed appreciation for the European Union’s election observer mission and reiterated Dhaka’s interest in pursuing a Free Trade Agreement with the EU.
The Rohingya issue also featured prominently in discussions. Bangladesh urged Germany and the international community to continue supporting efforts for the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
During a meeting with Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Hartmann emphasized the importance of economic reforms and export diversification ahead of Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
“This is my first visit to Bangladesh. Germany and Europe are willing and eager to engage more with Bangladesh and get to know the country better,” Hartmann said.
The delegation also visited DBL Group’s manufacturing facilities in Kashimpur to learn about sustainable textile production, highlighting growing opportunities for Bangladesh-Germany economic cooperation.
