Bangladesh and Brazil on Sunday held productive discussions on Dhaka-Brasilia bilateral ties, international and regional initiatives, and multilateral cooperation as foreign ministers of the two global south nations joined a meeting here.
"We had a very good and successful discussion on different issues," Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told a joint media briefing with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira after the bilateral talks at the state guest house Jamuna in the capital.
During the meeting the two foreign minister agreed on the importance of increasing cooperation and exchanges in the fields of agriculture, livestock, science, technology and innovation, education, climate change and energy transition, and technical cooperation, among others.
"We have discussed many issues like tax waiver for readymade garments and tax reduction also. We import cotton from Brazil and I requested him to waive the tax on the garment products that are made with Brazilian cotton," Mahmud said.
He said they discussed on Brazil's investment in Bangladesh's economic zone and IT sector that will give Brazilian businessmen an avenue to reach about two billion people in our region.
"We've (also) discussed export of pharmaceuticals and ceramics to Brazil," he said.
Mahmud recalled the growing interest of countries from the Global South to join BRICS, including Bangladesh while his Brazilian counterpart affirmed that Dhaka, as an emerging voice of the Global South, could offer substantial contributions to BRICS on a number of issues.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit Brazil in July next as the visiting Brazilian foreign minister brought an invitation from the Brazilian President in this regards.
"There is an invitation by (Brazilian) President Lula to our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and there might be a visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Brazil in next July," he said.
Hasan said during the meeting, they discussed about possible visit of Bangladesh premier to most influential South American country Brazil.
In 2023, President Lula and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa.
The Brazilian foreign minister said that his country's President hoped that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would visit Brazil soon.
Praising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her effort in improving quality of life of Bangladesh people, the Brazilian foreign minister said they have similar position in many aspects such as fight against hunger.
"We (Brazil and Bangladesh) have similar agendas and it allows us to develop even more our bilateral relations," he said.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed that Bangladesh and Brazil would continue to work together to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution.
Bangladesh recognized the pioneering work done by Brazil in reversing biodiversity loss, while Brazil appreciated Bangladesh's Innovative work on climate adaptation.
"We have thanked him for offering scholarship to Bangladeshi students in Brazil and we have offered scholarship for trainees for Brazilian diplomats in our Foreign Service Academy," said Hasan Mahmud.
After the meeting the two foreign ministers signed an agreement on Technical Cooperation between Bangladesh and Brazil.
The two ministers recalled with deep appreciation the meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Brazilian President Luiz In cio Lula da Silva heid on 24 August 2023 in Johannesburg at the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, said a joint statement after the meeting.
It said the meeting reinforced longstanding ties between these two remarkable leaders who illustrate a renewed commitment to a shared vision and a common goal: to forge a fairer world, free from hunger and poverty, where dignity, sustainable development, prosperity, and peace prevail in our societies.
Mahmud thanked Vieira for President Lula's warm congratulatory message and steadfast support extended to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her victory in the General Election in January 2024.
The ministers took note of the immense potential of business, trade promotion, and investment opportunities between Bangladesh and Brazil, and welcomed the rapid growth in trade between the two countries, which has surpassed 2 billion dollars in the past two years.
Mahmud welcomed the initiative and effort of Minister Mauro Vieira for bringing with him a robust business delegation that will engage in business seminars hosted by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) of Bangladesh to collectively explore promising new business opportunities.
The two ministers welcomed the signing of the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation (TCA) between Bangladesh and Brazil.
They agreed to leverage each other's strengths and resources under the auspices of this instrument to foster avenues of technical cooperation and economic development between the two countries through the exchange of expertise, resources, and innovation, thereby fortifying bilateral relations and advancing mutual interests.
Brazilian foreign minister welcomed the keen interest of Bangladesh in concluding a MERCOSUR-Bangladesh Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
The Ministers concurred that this endeavor would enhance business opportunities and foster private sector engagements between Bangladesh, Brazil, and the other MERCOSUR State Parties, significantly contributing to the promotion of South-South Cooperation.
The Ministers expressed their resolve to work toward the commencement of the process for negotiating MERCOSUR Bangladesh Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), at the earliest opportunity.
They warmly welcomed the conclusion of negotiations of the MoU on Sports Cooperation, to be signed at an appropriate moment by the Bangladeshi Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Brazilian Ministry of Sports.
The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the shared commitment of Bangladesh and Brazil to multilateralism and expressed their intent to work together towards attaining meaningful results in the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024.
Bangladesh congratulated Brazil for being elected to host UNFCCC COP30 in Bel,m, Par , in 2025 and assured of Dhaka's constructive engagement towards a successful outcome. 17.
Bangladesh commended Brazil for assuming the Presidency of G29 in 2024, with a strong emphasis on giving voice to issues of importance to the Global South.
The Brazilian Foreign Minister welcomed Bangladesh to the G20 Working Group on Women's Empowerment and the Working Group on Environment and Climate Sustainability, as well as the Taskforce on Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
Bangladesh foreign minister appreciated Brazil for supporting the resolutions on Rohingyas at the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.
Vieira will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian and also deliver a lecture at the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh on "2024 G20: Priorities for Brazilian Presidency" today.
The Brazilian foreign minister will also address a business meeting organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Bangladesh (FBCCI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil.
The Brazilian Foreign Minister today arrived here on a two-day official visit to further strengthen the bilateral and commercial ties with Bangladesh.
Vieira commenced this historic visit by paying tribute to the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhaka.
This is the first-ever foreign minister-level visit from Brazil.
