Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh wants quick start of the repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas who took shelter in Cox’s Bazar.

 ‘We want quick start of the repatriation process,’ she said when newly appointed Swiss ambassador to Bangladesh Rene Holenstein met the Prime Minister at her office in the city, reports the UNB.

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The issues on the upcoming visit of Swiss President to Bangladesh, Rohingyas, bilateral cooperation and economic cooperation were discussed in the meeting.

The Swiss ambassador said it is a very challenging task for managing the huge number of displaced Rohingya people.  Switzerland will continue to support Bangladesh in this issue and wants the safety of the displaced people after they are repatriated, he said.

The Swiss President will visit Bangladesh to express solidarity with Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, he said adding that the visit will open an opportunity for enhancing cooperation in different areas including private sector investment and agricultural sector.

Noting that Swiss investment has gone up in Bangladesh, he said, ‘Your government has done a lot for investment security.’

Rene Holenstein applauded the remarkable development of Bangladesh in socio-economic sector.

He also handed over a copy of Bangabandhu’s letter sent to the then Swiss President on 26 September 1972 expressing gratitude for the Swiss hospitality during Bangabandhu’s medical treatment there.

The Prime Minister welcomed the newly appointed Swiss ambassador and said she was looking forward to meeting the Swiss President.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman used to like Switzerland. After the Liberation of Bangladesh, the Father of the Nation used to say he wants to make Bangladesh as the Switzerland of the East, Sheikh Hasina said.