Under Secretary of State (International Trade) Jarno Syrjala of Finland paid a courtesy call on Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) at his secretariat office today. Photo: PID

DHAKA, April 8, 2025 (BSS) - Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) today called upon Finland to open its embassy in Bangladesh.

"Since there is no embassy of Finland in Bangladesh, the visa process is complicated and lengthy for Bangladeshi nationals. Currently, Finland is conducting its activities for Bangladesh through its embassy in New Delhi, India. It is necessary to open an embassy of Finland in Dhaka to simplify the visa process and further deepen the mutual relations between the two countries," he said.

He made the remarks when the Under Secretary of State (International Trade) Jarno Syrjala of Finland paid a courtesy call on him at his Secretariat office here.

Agreeing on this, Jarno Syrjala assured the adviser that he would take the matter to the highest level of the government of his country.

The meeting also discussed various issues related to mutual interests including the law and order situation, security, the Rohingya, trade and investment and manpower export.

Welcoming the ambassador at the beginning of the meeting, Jahangir said that Bangladesh has very good relations with Finland. "Finland can cooperate Bangladesh in the ongoing reform processes," he said.

Finland, he said, can export skilled and educated manpower from Bangladesh at a higher rate.

Assuring cooperation in this regard, the Under Secretary of State said that there are about 6,000 Bangladeshi immigrants in Finland, a significant number of whom are students. 

"They are making an important contribution to the socio-economic development of Finland," he said.

The Home Adviser said that Rohingya refugees are citizens of Myanmar and Bangladesh has given shelter to about 1.3 million Rohingyas for humanitarian reasons.

"Now it is time to repatriate them to their own country," he said, seeking cooperation of the international community, including Finland to pursue the matter.

The adviser requested Finland to import more ready-made garments from Bangladesh and make larger investment.