United News of Bangladesh

Argentina’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Santiago Andrés Cafiero today (February 28, 2023) hoped that the economic, trade and business collaboration between his country and Bangladesh will get a boost following the reopening of the Argentine embassy in Dhaka. He expressed the optimism while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban this morning. PM’s speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting. “Argentina is happy to reopen its embassy in Dhaka,” the visiting foreign minister was quoted as saying while extending thanks to Sheikh Hasina for giving the opportunity to reopen the mission in such a short time. Read More: Bangladesh should go for PTA with Mercosur instead of FTA: Argentine minister He hoped that economic, trade and business collaboration between the two countries will be enhanced, as well as friendship will be strengthened further with reopening the embassy. “There is enough scope to enhance cooperation between our two countries,” Cafiero was quoted as saying. Argentina first opened its embassy in Dhaka in 1974 but it was closed in 1978 by the military junta that ruled the South American country at the time. The Argentina embassy was reopened in Dhaka’s Banani area yesterday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh is very keen to enhance relations with Argentina. Read: All roads in haor areas will be elevated for unobstructed water flow: PM “There is huge scope to enhance trade and tourism between Bangladesh and Argentina,” she was quoted. Argentina can import garments and pharmaceutical items, jute and related products, and leather goods from Bangladesh, she said. Bangladesh mainly imports edible oil, particularly soybean oil, animal and vegetable fats, seeds, fruits, grains, dairy products, eggs and natural honey. “We can also collaborate in the fields of sports, education and culture,” she said, seeking cooperation from Argentina for the development of Bangladesh football. Read More: Latin America-Bangladesh Chamber president meets Argentine business delegate in Dhaka Sheikh Hasina said the whole world is going through turmoil caused by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, economic sanctions and counter-sanctions. Not only Bangladesh, but many developed countries are being impacted as prices of food items and inflation have gone up significantly around the world, she said. In this context, she said that public suffering can be eased through enhancing cooperation and relations among friendly countries. The PM said Bangladesh has put emphasis on raising food production and setting up 100 special economic zones to generate employment, developing infrastructures and connectivity with neighbouring countries. Now Bangladesh is a marketing hub in South Asia, she added. Read: President at Mithamain to welcome PM The visiting Argentine minister said the people of his country are also bearing the brunt of high inflation induced by the Russia-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic. Talking about climate change, he said relations among the member states of the global south forum can be strengthened to fight the impact. He praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in fighting climate change. Appreciating the development of Bangladesh, he said, “We are highly impressed with the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.” Read More: Bangladesh attractive destination for business, investment: Momen tells Argentine delegation Noting that this is his first visit here, the Argentine foreign minister said he did not imagine that Bangladesh would be so beautiful. PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, Secretary (West) at the Foreign Ministry Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury and non-resident Ambassador of Argentina to Bangladesh Hugo Gobbi were present. On Monday, Argentine Foreign Minister Cafiero arrived in Dhaka to inaugurate his country’s new embassy here and deepen trade and cultural relations. Diplomatic operations, such as visas in order to travel, were handled by the Argentine embassy in India until now. Read More: Argentine FM to hold bilateral talks with Momen in Dhaka Monday

Argentine President Alberto Fernández today said his country is working to reopen a diplomatic mission in Dhaka next year. He also thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for greeting the Argentina football team on its FIFA World Cup 2022 victory, according to a press release from PM’s Press Wing. Also read: ‘Let’s deepen this link’: Argentina’s president thanks Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh “We’ve watched closely the celebrations of the friendly people of Bangladesh in support of the (Argentina) team,” he said in a letter to PM Hasina. Sports is a powerful tool of engagement between people, the letter added. The Argentine president said his country is grateful for the Bangladeshi enthusiasm for the football team’s success and that it confirms the path of friendship between the nations. Read More: Argentina’s foreign minister says will open embassy in Dhaka: Media report. The letter also mentioned that both countries have completed 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. “I reaffirm to you our commitment to the consolidation of the friendship ties which unite us, being the establishment of diplomatic missions in the respective capitals the right way in this regard,” he wrote. “On this, we will remain working for the next reopening of our diplomatic mission in Dhaka during the year 2023, as confirmation of the path we have decided to take in our bilateral relations,” Argentina President Alberto Fernández wrote in his letter.

Argentina’s Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero has announced that the South American country will open an embassy in Bangladesh. The decision follows Bangladesh’s overwhelming support for Lionel Messi and the Argentina team playing in the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, reports MercoPress, a south Atlantic news agency, on Sunday (December 11, 2022). Bangladesh has always had a die-hard Argentina fanbase, but during this Qatar World Cup, they grabbed global attention by displaying their immense passion. It all began when a video of ecstatic Bangladeshi supporters cheering Messi’s goal against Mexico was posted by the official FIFA Twitter account. Read more: Kushtia divided by Argentina, Brazil as World Cup fever grips Bangladesh The tale of Bangladesh and Argentina quickly went viral, and started trending on the internet. The Argentine media also covered it. Later, the official Twitter account of Argentina’s national football team tweeted about Bangladesh with the following message: “Thank you for supporting our team!! They are crazy like us!” Argentines joined the media and journalists in expressing their gratitude for Bangladesh on social media. As a reciprocation for Bangladesh’s undying love for the Argentine football team, an Argentine fan group for the Bangladesh national cricket team was created on social media. The MercoPress report quoted Argentine Foreign Minister Cafiero saying he will visit Bangladesh next year to finalise the proposal after participating in the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in India. Read more: Argentina keen to exporting soybean, fertilizer to Bangladesh In August this year, Cafiero met with his Bangladeshi counterpart, AK Abdul Momen, to promote bilateral cooperation and agreed to “widen potential for trade growth.” The Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement that they seek to explore bilateral relations, mainly in the commercial aspect, and to diversify trade through opening an embassy in Bangladesh, as per the media report. Last year, Argentina exported products – mostly wheat, corn, and by-products of soybeans – worth USD 876 million to Bangladesh, a record high that resulted in a USD 862 million trade surplus for the South American nation. Read More: Anti-Corruption Award: US Embassy in Dhaka congratulates journalist Rozina Islam In July, Argentina informed Bangladesh that the South American country is open to exporting soybean, beef and fertilizer to Bangladesh.