EU raising grants to Bangladesh by 40pc

The European Union is increasing its grant assistance by nearly 40 per cent a year for the next seven years in a show of its “continuing commitment” to Bangladesh.
Currently, the EU provides around €500 million grants each year.
The outgoing head of the delegation William Hanna made the announcement while meeting the diplomatic correspondents in Dhaka Tuesday in his farewell press conference, according to.
The ambassador, who in his nearly four years of assignment witnessed eventful times in Bangladesh both on political and business fronts, said it had been his “most challenging assignment”.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time,” he declared.
He made renewed call for political reconciliation in Bangladesh as he spoke on all aspects of 40-year relations between the EU and Bangladesh with democracy and human rights at the core.
He stressed on addressing the issues of sustainability of the environment and safety and fair treatment of workers in sectors like leather, shrimps and tea which enjoy duty-free access to the EU market.
 “And we will soon be tightening regulations on ship-breaking,” he warned.
“The message should be understood. In today's world and tomorrow's world, market access and sustainability go together. You cannot have one without the other,” he said.
Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association in Bangladesh organised the talk, chaired by its President Mainul Alam. General Secretary Angur Nahar Monty delivered the welcome speech.
The ambassador will leave Dhaka this month. The deputy head of the EU’s Pakistan delegation Pierre Mayaudon will replace him, the EU earlier announced.