Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh Paulo Fernando Dias Feres met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed issues relating to the next national election and bilateral cooperation.

The over an hour-long meeting, which began at around 11 am on Tuesday, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obed were also present at the meeting.

Briefing reporters about the outcome of the meeting, Khosru said, “We had an in-depth discussion on the current bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brazil and the various possibilities for strengthening them further.”

In response to a question, he said they had also discussed Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election, with Brazil expressing its desire for the election to take place.

Khosru said they discussed Brazil’s cooperation in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, including cattle farming and increasing meat and milk production.

“Brazil holds a very strong position in agriculture, and we import many agricultural commodities from Brazil, including sugar,” the BNP leader said.

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He said Bangladesh exports garments and pharmaceutical products to Brazil, but they acknowledged there is potential to further enhance these exports.

Khosru mentioned that they had raised the issue of Brazil’s cooperation in improving Bangladesh’s sports sector, particularly football.

The meeting also covered expanding cooperation in the cultural sector and promoting cultural exchanges.

Khosru said trade between the two countries exceeds $2 billion, with the balance of payments currently in Brazil’s favour. “So, we need to increase exports to Brazil, particularly in garments and pharmaceuticals.”

He also urged the Brazilian envoy to lift the existing embargo on the export of Bangladesh’s jute to Brazil.

“If we can increase exports of garments, pharmaceuticals, and jute to Brazil, the balance of payments could either be balanced or shift in our favour,” the BNP leader said.

Khosru said they encouraged the Brazilian envoy to facilitate increased investment in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, especially in cattle and milk production.

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The BNP leader said Brazil is keen to export red meat to Bangladesh and set up a warehouse here to meet local demand at lower prices.

He also said Brazil is eager to transfer technology to help Bangladesh produce meat and milk more cost-effectively.