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Norwegian firms interested in Bangladesh's climate, agricultural sectors

Several Norwegian firms have expressed interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on projects related to climate adaptation, crop diversification, multi-cropping, and fisheries, with the support of the Norwegian ambassador.

On Tuesday, Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, led a delegation to meet Home and Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) at the Ministry of Agriculture in Dhaka. During the meeting, they discussed various topics, including food security, climate resilience, flood-related crop damage, law and order, policing, and the Rohingya refugee situation.

The adviser welcomed Norway’s interest in exporting nitrogen fertilizers, noting Bangladesh’s demand for fertilisers and suggesting that Norway could pursue exports through either the government-run JTUG or the private sector.

The ambassador praised Bangladesh for hosting displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, and in turn, the adviser requested Norway to consider accepting some Rohingya citizens.

Regarding inquiries about law and order, the adviser assured the ambassador that conditions are steadily improving and should normalise soon. He mentioned that the number of police vacancies is minimal, with ongoing recruitment and measures to strengthen police morale. The ambassador also signaled Norway's interest in police reform cooperation, which the adviser promised to relay to the Home Ministry.

The adviser noted that recent floods have significantly impacted food crop production, necessitating imports. In response to Norway's interest in food security collaboration, he expressed Bangladesh's openness to cooperation, particularly in agriculture and fisheries research. He requested the ambassador's support in facilitating opportunities for young Bangladeshi researchers in Norway, to which the ambassador responded positively.

Senior officials from both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Norwegian Embassy were present at the meeting.