Labour rights, environmental protection and the independence of judicial institutions are among the priorities for expanding market access for Bangladeshi goods in European countries, EU Ambassador Michael Miller said on Tuesday.
He also stressed the importance of the rule of law for doing business, alongside upholding human rights, noting that several complexities, including limited access to justice, are affecting EU investors in Bangladesh.
He made the remarks at an event titled "Meet the Ambassador", jointly organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh at Dhaka University.
"We saw great ambition during the 18 months of the interim government for greater independence of the judicial institutions. Now this government has taken a slightly different path. And we are still waiting to understand well what the ambition of the new government is when it comes to the independence of the judiciary, not in paper but in practice," he said.
"This is an area which will, of course, reinforce confidence. Let's start with commercial courts, access to justice, and reduction of the backlog of cases," he added.
"We can only make suggestions as to what will create very strong relations with us," Miller said, adding that bilateral relationships are strengthened through alliances, not dependencies.
Describing how the unstable situation in the Strait of Hormuz has affected Bangladesh, particularly its power and gas supplies and industries, he suggested expanding renewable energy, including solar and wind power.
On Bangladesh-EU relations, the ambassador said the partnership is moving towards a more strategic and political dimension.
He added that Bangladesh's economic progress would depend on strengthening competitiveness and ensuring a favourable environment for international partnerships.
Resident Representative of FES Bangladesh Felix Gerdes and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam also spoke at the event, moderated by CGS President Zillur Rahman.
