Online Desk:  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a meeting held on Monday with the visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and his delegation, underscored the significant potential for enhancing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Brazil.

“There is immense scope to increase bilateral trade between the two countries,” she was quoted as saying.

The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s office, where Sheikh Hasina highlighted the opportunity for Brazil to augment its import of readymade garment (RMG) products directly from Bangladesh, thus eliminating the need for intermediaries and making the process more cost-effective.

The briefing to reporter’s post-discussion was provided by PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam.

He revealed that the Prime Minister expressed a desire to deepen the current bilateral relationship between the two nations. Noting the current trade imbalance heavily skewed in favour of Brazil — with Bangladesh importing substantial amounts of sugar, soybean oil, and cotton from Brazil and exporting only a minimal amount of RMG products in return — she pointed out the considerable scope for Brazil to diversify its imports to include not only more RMG products but also jute, jute goods, leather, and leather goods from Bangladesh.

Reflecting on the historical connections, Prime Minister Hasina remarked on Brazil’s significant role as the first country in South America to recognise Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, shortly after the Liberation War.

She emphasised the shared perspectives and stances of Bangladesh and Brazil in various international forums.

The conversation also veered towards sports, with the Prime Minister expressing an interest in Brazilian football and seeking cooperation to elevate the standards of football in Bangladesh.

In a gesture of diplomatic goodwill, the visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister extended an invitation from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Prime Minister Hasina to attend the final meeting of the G20 Task Force for the creation of Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty in Rio de Janerio on 24th July. The prime minister accepted the invitation.

The G20 is made up of 19 countries and the EU. The 19 countries are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, and the US. Brazil holds the Presidency in 2024.

The discussions further ventured into global political arena, with Vieira commending Bangladesh for its stance against the ongoing conflict in Gaza and aligning with Bangladesh’s condemnation of the Israeli aggression as genocide.

“They (Israel) have violated all kinds of international norms, they bombed hospitals, continue killing in the shelter camps… this is not a war, this is genocide,” the PM was quoted as saying.

She mentioned that Israeli forces are not even sparing children, women and the elderly.

Praising the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Hasina’s leadership, Vieira expressed Brazil’s interest in learning from Bangladesh’s development experience, noting the similarities between the two populous nations in their battles against poverty and hunger.

The visit, marked by Vieira’s presentation of a Brazil National Football Team jersey to Prime Minister Hasina, bearing her name, underscored the amicable discussions and the mutual desire to explore avenues for cooperation and shared growth.

Leading a delegation of high officials and a robust trade team, this is the Brazilian Foreign Minister’s first visit to Bangladesh, opening new chapters in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brazil.