In a significant move to strengthen bilateral trade relations and promote economic cooperation between South Asia and Latin America, the Brazil-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) launched the first-ever "Made in Bangladesh Expo" in São Paulo, the financial capital of Brazil, on Monday.
Dr. Tauhidul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Brazil, alongside a distinguished panel of dignitaries and business leaders, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Shahriar Ahmed, President of BBCCI; Md. Saiful Alam, Vice President of BBCCI; Marcio Fernando Dias Feres, Vice President of BBCCI Brazil Chapter; Commodore Afzalul Hoque, Bangladesh's Defence Attaché; RHM Imran Chowdhury, Director of BBCCI; Md. Joynal Abdin, Secretary General of BBCCI; as well as representatives from FACOMMERCIO and the Argentina-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, spoke at the event.
Md. Joynal Abdin emphasized the immense potential for bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and Brazil.
He highlighted that Bangladesh exports key products such as ready-made garments, jute goods, pharmaceuticals, leather goods, plastics, handicrafts, and ICT services, while Brazilian exports to Bangladesh include sugar, soybean oil, cotton, coffee, and other agricultural commodities.
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Abdin also called for a transition from traditional trade to joint venture investments, which would facilitate the manufacturing of cost-effective goods in Bangladesh for export to global markets.
Speaking to an enthusiastic audience of Brazilian entrepreneurs and trade officials, RHM Imran Chowdhury extended an open invitation to Brazilian businesses to explore not only import opportunities from Bangladesh but also to engage in joint manufacturing ventures.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s favourable investment climate, competitive production costs, and government support for foreign investors.
Vice President of BBCCI, Md. Saiful Alam, characterized the expo as a strategic milestone aimed at unlocking the untapped business potential between the two nations.
He emphasized that Bangladesh offers a wide array of opportunities for Brazilian investors. With a consumer base of over 170 million people, the country presents a substantial market ready for business expansion. Its strategic geographic location, serving as a gateway between South and Southeast Asia, enhances its appeal as a regional hub for trade and distribution. Bangladesh also boasts a young, increasingly tech-savvy workforce that is driving innovation and digital transformation across industries.
Furthermore, the nation is witnessing rapid growth in key sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and agri-processing making it a fertile ground for foreign investment.
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President of BBCCI, Shahriar Ahmed, noted that the primary objective of the Expo is to showcase the capabilities, creativity, and competitiveness of Bangladeshi industries to the Brazilian and broader Latin American markets. “We seek to connect Bangladeshi manufacturers with Brazilian importers, identify new business opportunities, and foster long-term trust and cooperation between our countries,” he said.
Delivering the inaugural speech, Dr. Tauhidul Islam, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Brazil, lauded the expo as a timely and strategic initiative.
He emphasized that while Bangladesh and Brazil enjoy friendly diplomatic ties, the time is ripe to transform this relationship into a mutually beneficial economic partnership. “Brazil, being the largest economy in Latin America, can serve as a gateway for Bangladesh’s exports into the Latin American region. Similarly, Bangladesh can become a regional hub for Brazilian commodities reaching South Asia,” the Ambassador said.
To encourage industrial collaboration, he advocated for the promotion of joint ventures in both manufacturing and service sectors, enabling shared growth and technology exchange. Recognizing the need for sustained market presence, he suggested the creation of a permanent Bangladeshi product display center in Brazil, and offered to temporarily host this initiative within the Embassy premises until a dedicated space can be secured.
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Further, he proposed the selection of priority products from both countries for duty-free bilateral access, a move that could significantly boost trade volumes. Looking ahead, he expressed strong interest in exploring the feasibility of a Bangladesh-Brazil Free Trade Agreement (FTA), underscoring its potential to unlock new opportunities and solidify long-term economic partnership.
Ambassador Dr. Islam also called upon both Bangladeshi and Brazilian businesses to guide diplomatic efforts by identifying high-impact areas for policy facilitation, investment support, and market access.