Bangladesh’s Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Fernando Diaz Ferres pays a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhavan’s official residence in Dhaka on Sunday. — UNB Photo
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed the need to promote trade and business cooperation between Bangladesh and Brazil.
There were great prospects for business expansion between the two countries, she said.
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The Prime Minister said this when Bangladeshi Ambassador to Brazil Paulo Fernando Diaz Ferres paid a courtesy call on her at the latter’s official residence Ganababan.
Prime Minister’s speech writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
Sheikh Hasina urged the Brazilian government to prioritize expanding trade and business between the two countries.
She will soon sign preferential or free trade agreements with Brazil and three other Mercosur (Southern Common Market) member states (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) for Bangladesh to transition to developing country in 2026. emphasized that
The Prime Minister noted ongoing discussions on signing a PTA or FTA with the Mercosur countries and urged the signing process of the agreement to be completed immediately.
Bangladesh mainly exports pharmaceuticals and RMG products to Brazil and imports soybeans, raw sugar and wheat.
The Prime Minister also emphasized strengthening agricultural cooperation between Bangladesh and Brazil.
Noting that the drug faces some restrictions regarding the registration process in the Brazilian market, she called on the Brazilian side to ease restrictions.
On the Rohingya issue, she said Bangladesh provides shelter for more than 11 million Rohingya refugees, which is a heavy burden on the country.
She said 30,000 babies are born each year and the displaced Rohingya population continues to grow.
The prime minister called on Brazil to play a decisive role in the UN Security Council on the Rohingya issue.
She congratulated newly elected Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.
Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pele and extended his condolences to his family and the people of Brazil.
The Brazilian ambassador said Bangladesh’s ready-to-wear garments are in great demand in the Brazilian market.
He said there is great scope to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade and technology.
Paulo Fernando emphasized strengthening people-to-people and business contacts between the two countries.
Regarding bilateral agricultural cooperation, the envoy said that good agricultural practices, experiences and techniques can be shared with each other.
The Prime Minister’s Ambassador to Japan Mohammad Jeodin, Chief Secretary M. Tofazer Hossein Mia, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Masoud bin Momen attended the meeting.
