Dhaka, Nov 18 (V7N) - Austrian companies have expressed strong interest in investing in Bangladesh, as the European nation looks to strengthen its economic ties with the country, according to Katharina Wieser, Austria's non-resident ambassador to Bangladesh.

During a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office on Monday, Ambassador Wieser affirmed Austria's support for Bangladesh's interim government's reform initiatives.

Wieser noted that several Austrian firms are particularly interested in projects within Bangladesh, including establishing a technical school near Dhaka. However, she emphasized the need for cooperation from Bangladeshi authorities to secure soft loans from Austrian financial institutions.

In response, Dr. Yunus instructed officials to address the matter with the relevant ministry promptly.

The discussions also covered counterterrorism efforts, cross-border issues, human trafficking, legal migration, climate change, police reforms, and the overall law and order situation in Bangladesh.

Highlighting Austria's policy on legal migration, Wieser stated that Bangladeshi nationals represent the sixth-largest migrant community in the country. Dr. Yunus encouraged Austria to accept more Bangladeshi migrants through legal channels to help curb human trafficking.

The meeting was attended by Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and Principal Coordinator of SDG Affairs, and Tasbirul Islam, Austria's Honorary Consul in Bangladesh.

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