Gulshan terror attack could not derail Denmark’s development work in Bangladesh: Ambassador

The July 1 terror attack could not distract Denmark from its development activities in Bangladesh, says new Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther who plans deeper engagements with Dhaka.

“It’s not something outstanding for Bangladesh. It’s happening even in my own country. It’s the sad part. But development work is even more important,” Winther told bdnews24.com in an interview when he shared his thoughts about Bangladesh.

He joined Dhaka mission in September and presented his credentials in October, just months after the terror attack in an upscale cafe at Gulshan in which 17 foreigners were killed.

Many countries including Denmark restricted movement of their citizens in Bangladesh.

Winther, who had served an extended term of almost six years as ambassador in Thailand before coming to Dhaka and has worked in the Philippines, Vietnam and Iraq, said “the attack and its aftermath could not affect development works”.

“It was something that affects us negatively, that I cannot move around Bangladesh the way I used to in my other postings.  But, we have to do our job.

"We have to continue our development works in the countryside,” he said as Denmark has the presence in almost all districts in Bangladesh with its rural development activities.

“It’s not really affecting. Most of our development works are done by Bangladeshi people. So, there are very few foreigners involved in the process," said the academic-turned-diplomat.

Winther had been an associate professor with Copenhagen University and Copenhagen Business School before taking up his diplomatic assignments.

“I have also decided that it should not affect my work because I need to go out to see Bangladesh.”

He is “very passionate” about music and loves to play his guitar, and dreams to reach Bangladeshis with his music. He is also very fond of motorbikes.

His wife, Ratanawadee Hemniti Winther, is a Thailand-born Canadian who works as Chairman of Asian Injury Prevention, Thailand, an international NGO promoting road safety.

“Both Ratanawadee and I are looking forward to doing so much and engaging with people, no matter what the security situation is…we are very warmly welcomed by everyone,” he said.

Photo: asif mahmud ove

The diplomatic relations between Dhaka and Copenhagen started immediately after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. Denmark was one of the first European countries to recognise independent Bangladesh and open a mission in Dhaka in 1972.

The relations have recently been strengthened through the signing of a three-year Strategic Sector Cooperation and five-year development cooperation between the countries.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali also visited Denmark last year when the two countries agreed to continue working together for mutual interest including green growth, climate change, development and trade and investments.

“We are seriously engaged with Bangladesh since 1971. We have programmes in 61 districts out of 64 on poverty reduction,” the ambassador said.

Denmark is one of the leading development partners of Bangladesh, giving support to many sectors including water, sanitation, agriculture, human rights and development.

Bilateral trade is heavily in favour of Bangladesh with Dhaka enjoying duty-free market access of all products except arms.

Readymade clothes is the main export item, with Bangladesh now looking for markets for other traditional items like pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and leather goods.

Denmark is globally acclaimed for its expertise in green issues. It plans to be the first country in the world to completely replace fossil fuel with renewable energy by 2050.

“We are only country in the world with higher economic growth, higher output but saving energy,” Ambassador Winther said. He is in talks with the government to introduce wind power in Bangladesh.

“Danish business is not only making profit or making money, they also engage and invest for the benefit of Bangladesh. This is a two-sided thing. We are very interested to develop and make all Bangladeshis aware of the availability of energy-saving measures,” he said.

Denmark also funds NGOs for improving governance and fighting corruption in Bangladesh.

Despite the signing of the next five-year programme, the ambassador said there are “flexibilities” in their programmes for Bangladesh and they have funds to allocate in new programmes if the government wants. But that has to be matched with the main focus of the five-year programme.

“The main effort is - we continue our development in countryside,” he said.