France has expressed keen interest to support Bangladesh in establishing the Bangabandhu Satellite-2.
The collaboration aims to address climate change issues through advanced satellite technology.
French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy told reporters about such interest following a courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the Foreign Ministry in the capital on Thursday.
The French Ambassador said, “The existing Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is a geostationary communications and broadcasting satellite. But the Bangabandhu Satellite-2 will be a telecommunication satellite. France wants to cooperate with the issue of climate change through this satellite.”
The ambassador said, “The meeting served as an opportunity to congratulate Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud while we also discussed new avenues for cooperation.
I congratulated him. We have reviewed various aspects of our bilateral relations.”
“New areas of cooperation between the two countries include cultural exchange, military sector, climate change, Rohingya issue among others,” the ambassador added.
Masdupuy said there were also discussions on the purchase of Airbus and increased cooperation in the military sector. In response to a question, the ambassador also said that France is ready to help in
the education sector of Bangladesh. We are especially interested in working with young teachers and students.
Incidentally, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Dhaka in September last year. During his visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed for a second satellite for Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh has not yet reached a final agreement on this matter.
