Bangladesh Seeks French Support to Expand Third-Language Education

The request was made during a courtesy meeting on Thursday at the Prime Minister’s Office with Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, the Ambassador of France to Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the two sides held detailed discussions on a range of bilateral issues, including education, investment, trade, technology, and people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and France.

A key focus of the discussion was the government’s initiative to incorporate third-language learning into the national education system. Representatives from both countries explored the possibility of including the French language as one of the principal options for third-language education. Mahdi Amin emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi students to learn French and called for effective cooperation from France in this regard.

Strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries also featured prominently in the talks. The adviser highlighted various aspects of the government’s investment-friendly budget and business-oriented policies, inviting leading French investors to explore greater opportunities in Bangladesh’s emerging and high-potential sectors.

The meeting also addressed ways to enhance cooperation in higher education and research, promote technological development, and expand direct partnerships between universities in the two countries. Both sides underscored the importance of increasing scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students pursuing higher education in France and strengthening cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two nations.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and France through closer collaboration in education, culture, technology, and economic partnership.

Also present at the meeting was Florent Mangin, Head of the Regional Economic Department of the French Embassy.