Bangladesh Desk: The Swiss government has announced that it is going to suspend its development aid programs in three countries including Bangladesh following a reduction in foreign aid funding by parliament last December, local media Swissinfo reported.
The two other countries are Albania and Zambia.
Parliament cut CHF 110 million ($121 million) from the 2025 international cooperation budget and CHF 321 million from the financial plan for 2026–2028.
These reductions will affect bilateral, economic, and thematic cooperation, as well as multilateral organisations, according to an official statement.
On Wednesday, the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive body, was informed of the budget cuts. In response, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will phase out its bilateral development programs in Albania, Bangladesh, and Zambia by the end of 2028.
Between 2025 and 2028, additional reductions will be made to country and thematic programs and organizations. However, funding for humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, and assistance to Ukraine will remain unchanged.
