The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has stated that the government aims to make the upcoming general election the "greatest and most historic" in Bangladesh's history. Dr. Yunus emphasized the government's determination to set an example with this election, ensuring it is conducted in a democratic and fair manner. He made these remarks during a meeting with Norway's Ambassador to Bangladesh, Håkon Arild Gulbrandsen, at his office in Tejgaon on Sunday, January 12.

In the meeting, Dr. Yunus highlighted the government's ambition to make the election not only a turning point for Bangladesh's democracy but also a model for other nations. He stressed that the focus would be on conducting a fair election that upholds democratic values, serving as an example for future generations.

During the discussion, Dr. Yunus also called on Norway to increase its investments in Bangladesh, particularly to utilize the country's youthful workforce and position Bangladesh as a regional distribution hub for Norwegian products. He proposed that Norway consider using Bangladesh as a distribution center for its goods in Asia, reducing the need for direct imports from Norway and providing local opportunities for the youth.

Dr. Yunus cited the success of Grameenphone, a subsidiary of the Norwegian telecom giant Telenor, as an example of how Norwegian investments have flourished in Bangladesh. He pointed out that Grameenphone, initially Telenor’s first foreign venture, has since become one of the most profitable projects in the Telenor family, contributing significantly to the company’s overall success.

Ambassador Gulbrandsen presented a letter from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, reaffirming Norway's strong support for the Interim Government in Bangladesh. The letter commended Dr. Yunus’s efforts towards reform and the pursuit of conducting a free and fair democratic election. The Ambassador also praised Bangladesh's commitment to human rights protection and environmental sustainability, highlighting the potential for closer cooperation between Bangladesh and Norway in areas such as ship recycling and green energy transformation.

Furthermore, Dr. Yunus sought Norway's assistance in addressing the ongoing Rohingya crisis, particularly in light of the changing situation in Myanmar. He noted that Norway has played a significant role in peacekeeping efforts globally and reiterated the importance of Norwegian support in resolving the crisis and finding a solution for the displaced Rohingya population.

Ambassador Gulbrandsen expressed Norway’s interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on global issues such as the Palestinian issue, international taxation, and plastic pollution. He also thanked Bangladesh for supporting a Norway-led UN initiative to ensure humanitarian aid to Palestine. The Ambassador emphasized that Norway remains committed to supporting Bangladesh on these international fronts.

The meeting underscored the strengthening of bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Norway, with both parties expressing interest in further cooperation on various political, economic, and environmental issues.