Bangladesh and Brazil Explore Trade Opportunities
Dhaka, April 8, 2024: Bangladesh and Brazil convened to explore significant trade potentials across various sectors during a seminar and a business-to-business matchmaking event. Hosted jointly by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital, the meeting emphasized the immense possibilities for trade collaboration.
The event highlighted key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, jute and jute goods, ready-made garments, food, and agricultural products, which hold substantial promise for bilateral trade growth. Stakeholders underscored the necessity for special trade agreements like Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTA) to catalyze business exchanges between the two nations.
FBCCI President, Mr. Mahbubul Alam, chaired the meeting, where State Minister for Commerce, Ahasanul Islam Titu, lauded Bangladesh’s remarkable socio-economic progress, positioning it as a global model for development. Titu emphasized Bangladesh’s strengths as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter and a leading producer of raw jute, rice, vegetables, and freshwater fish, attributing this growth to robust infrastructure development and resource utilization.
Titu highlighted Bangladesh’s strategic geographical advantage as a gateway to South Asia and ASEAN countries, with close connectivity to India’s northeastern region and China via Kunming. He urged Brazil to consider Bangladesh as its next trade and investment destination, leveraging each other’s strengths for mutual benefit.
FBCCI President Alam underscored the enduring bilateral relations between Brazil and Bangladesh, spanning over 50 years, characterized by shared values and common development goals. He pointed out Bangladesh’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse, particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and technology, under the visionary leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister.
Alam highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable growth, encapsulated in the government’s vision for a SMART Bangladesh by 2041, aligned with global climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. He also outlined Brazil’s strengths in natural resources, agriculture, and industry, offering attractive incentives and facilitative measures to enhance ease of doing business.
Brazilian Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, commended Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in trade and investment, expressing eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties. He emphasized Brazil’s interest in exporting agricultural products, including meat and wheat, to Bangladesh, noting the significant developments in logistics, transport, communication, and infrastructure sectors in Bangladesh.
The event concluded with expressions of gratitude from BBCCI President, Mr. Shahriar Ahmed, and the presence of distinguished guests including the Ambassador of Brazil in Bangladesh, H.E. Paulo Fernando Dias Feres, Senior Vice President of FBCCI, Md. Amin Helalay, Vice President of BBCCI, Mr. Md. Saiful Alam, FBCCI Vice President, Shomi Kaiser, and Secretary General of BBCCI, Mr. Md. Joynal Abdin, among others.