The German embassy stated that the new German ambassador, Holger Michael, met with President Zillur Rahman on Wednesday. In a letter of credence, German President Horst Kohler conveyed friendly greetings to the people of Bangladesh and emphasized the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Germany and Bangladesh. Ambassador Michael praised Bangladesh's progress in combating poverty and recognized the country's challenges, including climate change. He mentioned that Germany remains a significant development partner for Bangladesh and expressed optimism about enhanced trade and investment between the two countries. He stated that there is potential for further growth in trade and investment in both directions and emphasized their commitment to expanding trade links. The diplomat affirmed Germany's support for efforts to enhance democracy and human rights in Bangladesh and commended Bangladesh for its positive contributions to international politics. Michael expressed Germany's backing for Bangladesh's initiatives to enhance regional cooperation and stability in South Asia, as well as its involvement in UN peacekeeping missions and leadership role among the Least Developed Countries. Before being stationed in Dhaka, Michael held the position of head of Trade Promotion at the Federal Foreign Office. He also served as deputy head of mission in Bangkok and Hong Kong, and has worked in countries such as Korea, Nicaragua, and Turkey.