New German ambassador follows Bangladesh since 1983

New German ambassador Thomas Prinz says he has been following Bangladesh’s development “closely” since 1983, a year when he had a three months internship in Dhaka.

The ambassador was introducing himself at a Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) organised reception for him on Tuesday in Dhaka.

He presented his credentials last month amid political  tumult in Bangladesh. But unlike his predecessor, he did not speak on politics.

He said during his tenure he would focus on economic possibilities, development cooperation, and people.

Germany is the largest destination for Bangladesh products in the European countries with $ 4 billion euros earned from exports.

But the ambassador said German investments in Bangladesh had remained at a “modest level” for years, for which he blamed bureaucracy, corruption, and political turmoil, among others.

As his last position was in Berlin as head of the Foreign Trade Promotion Division, he said, he would help the bilateral chamber, BGCCI, to be a full member of the German chamber network that comprises 130 chambers in 90 countries.

He said he would also work to increase the number of Bangladeshi students in German universities.

“I am 55 years old and I joined the foreign office in 1990 after studying at the South Asia Institute in Heidelberg,” the ambassador introduced him.

He said duing his university studies he was in Bangladesh in 1983 for three months doing an internship with GTZ, the German development arm.

“Since then I closely followed the development of the country with great interest and I am extremely happy to be now back to contribute to  bilateral relations”.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and leaders of the BGCCI including its President Sakhawat Abu Khair, and executive director Daniel Seidl were present at the reception.

As clothing comprises 92 percent of Bangladesh’s exports to Germany, the ambassador reminded industries to invest in safety and security standards, in fire doors and sprinklers.

At the same time, he highlighted the role of buyers.

“We are pressing the government (Bangladesh) to increase minimum wages and to allow trade unions. But what have our consumers and purchasers done? The prices for RMG-products in Europe are decreasing.

“The purchasers have founded powerful organisations like Accord and Alliance. They dictate standards. They could also discuss benchmarks for a T-shirt.

“Why can't we still buy a T-shirt for 3 Euros in Berlin or a pair of trousers for 9 Euros ? Where are the Accords and Alliances to stop that,” he asked.