Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni has urged the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries to remain engaged with Bangladesh, including its RMG industry. She also said the multinational brands and retailers need to engage with Bangladesh RMG conforming to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs).
The Foreign Minister said this while delivering the inaugural address at the first OECD Global Forum on Responsible Business at the OECD headquarters, Paris on invitation by the OECD Secretary General, said Foreign Ministry release on Thursday.
Dipu Moni raised the issues of fair pricing of products and need to support long-term capacity building given an overwhelming female employment in the sector.
Later in the day, she shared an account of the measures taken by the government on ensuring the rights of the workers and overall safety in factories.
The Foreign Minister particularly elaborated the legal and institutional changes being made by the government during the recent months; and assured them of early passage of the proposed amendments to the Labour Law.
During discussions, the representatives from various OECD countries, academia and the industry conveyed their appreciation for the aspects highlighted by Dipu Moni.
Earlier, OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria, a former Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs of Mexico, apprised Dipu Moni about a greater emphasis and dialogue that OECD has initiated with the industry to ensure responsible business conduct in doing business elsewhere like in Bangladesh.
During the day, the Foreign Minister also met Chairman of OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Eric Solheim. French Deputy Minister for Development Cooperation Pascal Canfin also met Dipu Moni. Later, he Foreign Minister met her French counterpart Laurent Fabius, when two the ministers discussed various issues of mutual interest.
She also attended a fashion show organised by the Bangladeshi-origin Unseco Goodwill Ambassador Bibi Russel at the Unesco headquarters, and the foundation-laying ceremony of International Mother Language Monument in Paris.
In the morning, leader of the Ismailia Community Aga Khan and the Foreign Minister discussed possible engagements of Aga Khan Development Network in Bangladesh in various areas.
Dipu Moni also met the French Minister for Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq when they discussed, among others, the possible ways of further developing Bangladesh RMG industry.
Before her departure from Paris, the representatives of Bangladesh community in France met the minister at the Bangladesh Embassy.
