Diplomatic Desk:
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hosne Ara Begum, MP, has stressed the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Lithuania. She called for working more closely with Lithuania, especially in expanding trade and economic relations.
These issues were discussed during a meeting between Lithuanian Non-Resident Ambassador to Bangladesh Diana Mikevichiene and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hosne Ara Begum at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (August 18, 2026).
In the meeting, the State Minister urged Lithuania to import ready-made garments, textiles, medicines, biodegradable jute and jute products, leather and leather products, agricultural products, furniture, plastic products and ships from Bangladesh.
He highlighted the investment potential in Bangladesh’s ready-made garments, leather, light engineering, agricultural processing, petroleum, renewable energy, information technology and waste management sectors and urged Lithuanian investors to invest in Bangladesh.
The meeting also discussed education, demographic advantages, manpower and employment opportunities, human movement and migration, visa facilitation, women’s empowerment, sports and culture, and mutual cooperation in international organizations.
Recalling the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Lithuania in 1992, the State Minister said that there is scope to further expand cooperation in all areas of mutual interest between the two countries.
The discussion focused on expanding cooperation in information technology, fintech, e-governance, cyber security, e-registration, e-transport, digitalization of transport systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-tech medical equipment and systems. The Ambassador also highlighted Lithuania’s interest in expanding cooperation, partnership and joint ventures with Bangladesh in these sectors.
The need for high-level visits, exchange of business delegations, cooperation between business chambers, exchange of knowledge and technology, exchange of youth and students, exchange of cultural groups, tourism cooperation and people-to-people contacts to deepen the relations between the two countries was also emphasized.
Noting that Lithuania will assume the responsibility of the next Council Presidency of the European Union (EU) in June-July 2027, the Ambassador said that Lithuania could be an important gateway for some Bangladeshi products and services to enter the larger European market. He highlighted the potential role of Lithuania in the entry of some products and services that require registration, especially Bangladeshi medicines, into the EU market.
In addition, the effective role of the EU-Bangladesh Business Forum, adherence to existing frameworks and legal regulations in conducting business, regular and legal migration, and opening up new prospects for economic relations between the two countries by utilizing regional connectivity with the wider European region, including the Baltic region, were also discussed.
