Diplomatic Desk:
Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Brazil has reached about 4 billion US dollars. However, policymakers of the two countries believe that the current trade relations are still much less than the potential of the two countries. They have emphasized on introducing direct shipping systems, increasing investment and strengthening business contacts to increase trade.
These issues were discussed in a meeting between the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Humayun Kabir and the Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil Celso Amorim at the Palacio do Planalto in Brasilia on Friday (15 May 2026).
Advisor Humayun Kabir said in the meeting that the economies of Bangladesh and Brazil can complement each other. Bangladesh imports cotton, soybeans, sugar, agricultural products and industrial raw materials from Brazil, while Bangladesh can increase the potential of exporting ready-made garments, medicines, jute products and ceramics to Brazil many times over. He also spoke about reducing dependency on middlemen.
During the meeting, Advisor Amorim conveyed President Lula’s greetings and congratulations to the leadership and people of Bangladesh. He referred to Bangladesh as an important and emerging voice of the Global South.
The two sides also discussed the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) to be held immediately after the general elections in Brazil this year. It was hoped that several important agreements and institutional frameworks in various fields including agriculture, technology, health, education, sports, investment, energy and innovation would be finalized there.
In the meeting, both sides expressed interest in taking Bangladesh-Brazil relations towards a strategic partnership. Advisor Kabir said that Bangladesh’s foreign policy will be conducted on the basis of equality, dignity, mutual respect and balanced engagement. He said that Bangladesh believes in peace, stability and shared prosperity in South Asia and the wider region. Bangladesh’s diplomacy will be self-respecting, proactive and based on national interests. He further said that the current government is committed to reviving SAARC for the sake of regional peace, economic cooperation and integrated development in South Asia.
Celso Amorim said that both Bangladesh and Brazil can play an important role in establishing an equitable, multipolar and inclusive international system as influential voices of the Global South.
Advisor Amorim placed special emphasis on expanding technological and technical cooperation between Bangladesh and Brazil. He highlighted the potential for cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, digital transformation, public health, industrial innovation and defense research.
