New German ambassador Thomas Prinz is following Bangladesh’s development since 1983

Germany’s new ambassador Thomas Prinz says he has been following Bangladesh’s development “closely” since 1983, when he had a three-month internship in Dhaka.

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

He presented his credentials last month amid tumultuous politics in Bangladesh. But unlike his predecessor, he did not speak on politics.
 
Prinz said during his tenure he would focus on economic possibilities, development cooperation, and people.

With nearly 4 billion euros worth of exports, Germany is the largest export destination for Bangladesh in Europe.

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

As his last assignment in Berlin was head of the Foreign Trade Promotion Division, Prinz 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 at German universities.

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

He said during his university days he visited Bangladesh in 1983 for a three-month internship with GTZ, Germany’s development arm.

“Since then I have been closely following the development in the country with great interest and I am now extremely happy to be back to contribute to the 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 of investing in safety and security standards, in fire doors and sprinkles.
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 of RMG-products in Europe are decreasing.

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

“Why can 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.