Bangladesh and Brazil seek strategic partnership and stronger bilateral cooperation

Bangladesh and Brazil have shown keen interest in upgrading their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership as the two Global South nations look to expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology and institutional collaboration.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir met with Brazilian President’s chief foreign affairs adviser Celso Amorim at Palácio do Planalto on Friday, according to an official statement received today.

During the talks, both sides stressed the importance of elevating the longstanding friendly relations into a strategic partnership, citing the increasing alignment between Bangladesh and Brazil as rising voices of the Global South.

The two leaders observed that bilateral trade has already approached $4 billion, though they agreed that the current figure falls well short of the true economic potential of both countries.

Kobir said the economies of Bangladesh and Brazil complement each other and could become stronger partners through direct shipping connectivity, increased investment and closer business-to-business engagement.

He also highlighted the need to cut reliance on intermediaries in bilateral trade, noting that Bangladesh imports cotton, soybeans, sugar, agricultural products and industrial raw materials from Brazil, while there is significant scope for Bangladeshi exports such as ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, jute products and ceramics.

Amorim conveyed greetings and congratulations from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the leadership and people of Bangladesh, describing the country as an emerging and influential voice of the Global South.

The discussions also covered the upcoming Foreign Office Consultations expected after Brazil’s general elections later this year. Both sides expressed hope that a number of agreements and institutional mechanisms related to agriculture, technology, healthcare, education, sports, investment, energy and innovation would be finalized during those consultations.

Kobir said Bangladesh’s foreign policy would continue to be guided by equality, dignity, mutual respect and balanced engagement.

He added that Bangladesh remains committed to peace, stability and shared prosperity in South Asia, as well as to revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to promote regional peace, economic cooperation and integrated development.

Amorim said Bangladesh and Brazil, as influential Global South nations, could contribute significantly to building a fairer, more inclusive and multipolar international order.

He also stressed the importance of expanding technical and technological cooperation in areas including agriculture, renewable energy, digital transformation, public health, industrial innovation and defence research.