Dhaka: Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Sunday met Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, focusing on AFD-supported flagship initiatives, including the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant project.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this major infrastructure initiative, co-financed by international partners, aims to create a sustainable and environmentally sound water supply system for Dhaka. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to provide safe drinking water to millions of residents while significantly reducing reliance on depleting groundwater resources, said the Embassy in Dhaka after the meeting.
During the meeting, both sides discussed mutual interests and explored avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation. France is currently one of the largest bilateral development partners in Bangladesh’s local government sector, with commitments amounting to approximately pound 690 million in ongoing and planned pro
jects.
They also discussed the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-III project, another flagship initiative co-financed by the European Investment Bank, France, Germany, and Denmark, which aims to increase water treatment capacity for Dhaka residents. The Ambassador shared insights on France’s continued engagement with Bangladesh’s new government, emphasizing readiness to deepen cooperation across sectors such as climate adaptation, urban development, and public service delivery.
He congratulated the Minister and reaffirmed France’s strong commitment to Bangladesh’s development journey, particularly in urban infrastructure, water supply, and sustainable development. The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding engagement of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), a key partner in supporting Bangladesh’s LGRD sector, and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties through increased collaboration, technical expertise, and investment.