Yunus calls on Norway to help establish Bangladesh as Asia's distribution hub

Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus urged Norway on Sunday to transform Bangladesh into a regional distribution hub for Norwegian products and increase investments in the country, leveraging Bangladesh's vibrant youth workforce. 

"Use Bangladesh as a base for distributing Norwegian products across Asia. This way, you can utilize our young people without needing to bring personnel from Norway," Dr. Yunus said during a meeting with Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen. 

Highlighting Grameenphone’s success as the first international venture of Norwegian telecom giant Telenor, Dr. Yunus noted its transformation into the most profitable arm of the Telenor group. 

During the meeting, Ambassador Gulbrandsen delivered a letter from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, expressing strong support for Bangladesh's interim government. 

"The Prime Minister fully supports your efforts to implement necessary reforms and ensure free, fair, and democratic elections," Gulbrandsen stated. He also commended Bangladesh's commitment to human rights and environmental sustainability.

The ambassador highlighted Norway's interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on ship recycling and advancing the green energy transition. Dr. Yunus also sought Norway's assistance in resolving the Rohingya crisis, citing Norway's significant role in peacekeeping. "We need your support in addressing this issue, especially given the changing political situation in Myanmar," he said.

On the upcoming general elections, the Chief Adviser assured the ambassador of the government's commitment to making the event "historic and exemplary."

Additionally, Ambassador Gulbrandsen expressed Norway's desire to collaborate with Bangladesh on international issues such as the Palestinian conflict, global tax policy, and plastic pollution. Norway’s Deputy Head of Mission in Dhaka, Marrianne Rabe Knaevelsrud, also thanked Bangladesh for co-sponsoring the Norwegian-led UN resolution on humanitarian access in Palestine.