Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Rengli met Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat on Wednesday, where both sides discussed a wide range of issues including law and order, counter-terrorism, financial sector reforms, and the recovery of laundered money.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in tackling money laundering, digital fraud, and scams, as well as enhancing mutual legal assistance frameworks. Trade and investment, police reforms, and democratic governance were also discussed. The Home Minister welcomed the ambassador, while Rengli congratulated him on assuming office.
Salahuddin Ahmed said improving law and order remains the government’s top priority and stressed the need to ensure genuine parliamentary democracy. He noted that while all political parties have the right to hold meetings and rallies, they must avoid causing public suffering. He also criticized past misuse of law enforcement against political opponents.
The Swiss ambassador assured technical and strategic support to enhance police capacity and reform efforts. He emphasized the importance of effective parliamentary practices and constructive political dialogue for democratic progress.
Referring to his participation in the Global Fraud Summit 2026 in Vienna, the Home Minister said nearly 40 percent of global fraud now occurs through digital means, calling it a global challenge requiring coordinated international action. The ambassador echoed these concerns and stressed joint efforts to combat digital crime.
On security, the minister said Bangladesh has contained extremism and that specialized units like the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit are actively working to prevent threats.
Regarding economic reforms, both sides agreed on the importance of financial sector stability. The Swiss envoy assured cooperation in efforts to recover laundered money and support broader reform initiatives.
Senior officials from both sides attended the meeting. The Home Minister also held a separate meeting with Christian Holz, Regional Director for South Asia at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
