Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit Brazil in July at the invitation of Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
鈥榃e have discussed the possible visit of our prime minister to Brazil. There is an invitation by president Lula. There might be a visit by the prime minister to Brazil next July,鈥� foreign minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters at State guesthouse Jamuna at a joint briefing after his bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart.
Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira said that his government was thankful for the positive contributions that Bangladesh had been providing to G20 discussions.
He brought a personal letter of the Brazilian president which he would hand over to prime minister Sheikh Hasina during his meeting scheduled for Monday morning.
Prime minister Sheikh聽 Hasina and president Luda had a meeting on August 24 at Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
In the meeting, the two leaders 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 the societies.
While responding to a question, the Brazilian foreign minister said that over the past decade, Bangladesh under the leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina had shown significant social and economic achievements.
Today, he said, Bangladesh and Brazil are key players from the Global South.
鈥極ur governments鈥� common goal is to reduce inequality, fight against hunger and poverty and to promote sustainable development of our societies,鈥� said the Brazilian foreign minister.
He said that the bilateral trade was equally promising, reaching almost USD 2.5 billon in 2023 and laid emphasis on diversification of trade.
He said that the business meeting, to be held on Monday, would be useful for their entrepreneurs to explore new investments and opportunities.
Foreign minister Hasan described the visit of the foreign minister of Brazil as very significant.
The government of Brazil earlier congratulated prime minister Sheikh Hasina on her recent election victory.
Brazil expressed its willingness to continue deepening relations with Bangladesh, in favour of the development of both countries, the promotion of South-South cooperation, and the fight against poverty, hunger, and climate crisis.
Brazilian foreign minister welcomed Bangladesh鈥檚 interest in reaching a MERCOSUR-Bangladesh Preferential Trade Agreement.
At the bilateral meeting with foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, the two sides concurred that this endeavour would enhance business opportunities and foster private sector engagements between Bangladesh, Brazil and other MERCOSUR state parties, significantly contributing to the promotion of South-South cooperation.
The two foreign ministers expressed their resolve to work toward the commencement of the process for negotiating a MERCOSUR-Bangladesh PTA at the earliest opportunity.
MERCOSUR, or the Southern Common Market, is an economic and political bloc originally comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, previously an associate member, gained full membership in 2023.
The two ministers welcomed the signing of the basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation between Bangladesh and Brazil.
This is the first-ever foreign minister-level visit from Brazil.
The ministers held 鈥榩roductive discussions鈥� on Bangladesh-Brazil bilateral relations, international and regional initiatives, and multilateral cooperation.
They 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, according to a joint statement.
The ministers warmly welcomed the conclusion of negotiations of the MoU on Sports Cooperation to be signed at an appropriate moment by the sports ministries of the two countries.
The proposed MoU represents a significant milestone that mirrors the enduring bond between the peoples which has been cherished for generations.
Brazil-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, established in 1972, have strengthened in recent years.
State minister for commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu said that he requested Brazil to supply sacrificial animals to Bangladesh before Eid-ul-Azha.
He told reporters after a meeting in Dhaka with visiting foreign minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira.
Ahasanul Islam said that animal protein was in focus in the bilateral meeting. Brazil in particular an exporter of meat at very low prices.
鈥楾hey talked about it. We requested them in this regard. If it is cheaper. We will look at the possibilities to import cattle or meat,鈥� said the state minister.
Currently, Bangladesh is not importing animal protein or chicken. If Bangladesh imports these items, then a study will be required in this regard, he said.
He visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 on Sunday afternoon and paid tribute to Bangladesh鈥檚 founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before his meeting with Hasan Mahmud.
Hasan Mahmud hosted an iftar and dinner in honour of his Brazilian counterpart on Sunday evening.
Foreign minister Hasan described the visit of the foreign minister of Brazil as very significant.
The foreign minister of South America鈥檚 most influential country would meet prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
After his meeting with PM, Mauro Vieira will visit Square Pharmaceuticals facilities and Beximco Industrial Park in Gazipur.
On Monday afternoon, the Brazilian foreign minister is scheduled to deliver a lecture on Brazil鈥檚 priority areas at G20 as the current chair. The event will be held at Foreign Service Academy at 3:00pm.
The Brazilian foreign minister together with a business delegation will meet business leaders in Dhaka.
Country鈥檚 apex trade body, FBCCI, will host an iftar and dinner in honour of the Brazilian foreign minister and business delegation members on Monday evening.
Brazil-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, established in 1972, have strengthened in recent years.
The Brazilian Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 11:55pm on Monday.
Additional foreign secretary Nazrul Islam will be there at the Dhaka airport to see him off.