The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh and the Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo of Portugal (AICEP) or the Trade and Investment Agency of Portugal have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade and investment cooperation online. The MoU, signed Thursday, will focus on strengthening economic relations between the two countries by promoting trade and industry as well as by bringing together business leaders from all sectors of the economy. At the ceremony held simultaneously at two institutions, EPB Vice-Chairman AHM Ahsan in Dhaka and AICEP Chairman and CEO Luís Castro Henriques in Lisbon signed the MoU. Through this MoU, the AICEP and EPB aim to collaborate on developing direct business relations between their respective business communities of the two nations. Also Read: Portugal church sex abuse study: victims may number 4,800 It will also promote the exchange of economic, trade and business information and entrepreneurial experience between the two organisations and help them undertake actions to support each other in the development of fairs and symposiums, conferences and other events aimed at expanding the bilateral trade and economic cooperation, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon on Friday. It is expected that both organisations will facilitate sending business missions between the two countries to examine the prospects for cooperation in industry and trade. Also Read: Bangladesh seeks Portugal's investment, expertise in blue economy, wind power generation Henriques hoped that both organisations of the two friendly countries would work closely for furthering business cooperation. "This is only the beginning. My institution is ready to explore areas of cooperation under this framework. There is a huge untapped business potential between the two countries on which the two countries can work," he added. Ahsan said this is the first cooperation MoU on business cooperation in the history of Bangladesh-Portugal bilateral relations. Also Read: EU’s EBA Scheme for LDCs: Portugal terms Bangladesh best success story He hoped that now business communities from both countries would get the opportunity to work closely which will "certainly in turn boost the bilateral trade and investment of the two nations." Ambassador Tarik Ahsan congratulated both the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh and Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal on this momentous decision to tie up for a partnership. Referring to the historic linkage between the countries, Bangladesh Ambassador to Portugal Tarik Ahsan said the people of Bangladesh and Portugal have been connected since the early 16 century. On the Lisbon side of the ceremony, Manuel António Gaeiras, director of external relations and foreign markets, Maria José Alvarenga, deputy director of external relations and foreign markets, Daniel Pontes, market manager of external relations and foreign markets, of AICEP and First Secretary of Bangladesh Embassy Alamgeer Hossain were also present.  On the Dhaka side, EPB Director General Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the West Europe and EU wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Kazi Russel Pervez, and others attended the signing ceremony.      

Bangladesh and Timor-Leste, a Southeast Asian nation, have discussed ways to expand the relations with an enhanced cooperation in the areas of trade and investment. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has met Timor-Leste’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Adaljiza Albertina Reis Magno on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and discussed issues of mutual interest. Momen is now on a three-day visit to Cambodia to attend the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Both the Ministers expressed deep satisfaction at the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and pledged to further strengthen the relations in depth and dimensions, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Also read: Chinese FM’s visit: Dhaka, Beijing likely to sign multiple cooperation documents During the meeting, the two Ministers shared their views for mutual benefits and they discussed the issues of Rohingya repatriation, Bangladesh peacekeeping force, poverty alleviation, mass education, women empowerment, agricultural research, fisheries, livestock & poultry industries, digitization, youth development and student exchange programme. Momen underscored the need for regular exchange of visits at the high political and official levels as it is a very important tool for strengthening existing relations. The meeting concluded to collaborate and share experience toward a more efficient partnership in the days ahead. Also read: Bangladesh reiterates its firm adherence to ‘One China’ policy Bangladesh Ambassador to Cambodia and Director General for Regional Organizations wing of the Ministry accompanied the Foreign Minister during the meeting.