Bangladesh rolls out red carpet to welcome French President Macron
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (right) welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Sunday (Sept 10) night on a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh desk: French President Emmanuel Macron was on Sunday night accorded a red carpet reception upon his arrival in Dhaka on a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received President Macron at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his arrival from New Delhi around 8:30pm.
The French president was greeted by gun salute.
A Republique Francaise Airbus A330-200 plane carrying him landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The French President arrived from New Delhi where he attended the G20 Summit on September 9-10.
From the airport, President Macron went Hotel InterContinental where he will attend an official dinner to be hosted by Hasina.
The French president was scheduled to go to the Dhanmondi Lake and then meet the Joler Gaan band and enjoy its music.
On September 11 morning, he will pay homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait and then visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.
Macron will hold a bilateral meeting with Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office.
There, France and Bangladesh may sign several deals, including one on buying planes from Airbus, a European plane manufacturing company, said another sources.
Earlier, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters that during Hasina’s visit to France in November last year, Bangladesh agreed to buy 10 planes, including two cargo carriers, from Airbus.
Momen said the two countries may also discuss purchasing of the second satellite — Bangabandhu Satellite-2 — from France and setting up of a satellite manufacturing plant in Bangladesh as proposed by France last year.
Climate change and the Rohingya crisis will be two other major issues for discussion during the meeting, said foreign ministry officials.
“France played a major role in formulating the Loss and Damage initiative. So, the countries like Bangladesh that are affected by climate change need funding for making up part of the damage,” an official said.
