Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday (Jan 19) urged Argentina to build on the emotional footballing ties that Bangladesh has with the country to increase bilateral cooperation in different fields, including trade.
The Chief Adviser made the call when Argentine Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcelo Cesa called on him at his office in State Guest House Jamuna, Dhaka.
Noting the Bangladeshi people's overwhelming support for Argentina football team, the Chief Adviser said, "We have the emotional connection. We can build on that. The ground is ready. We can take it to other fields."
The Chief Adviser said to the ambassador to look for the opportunity of setting up ventures on full ownership or joint venture for cotton related trade and investment with Bangladesh and explore potential for energy cooperation.
Ambassador Cesa told the Chief Adviser that Argentina and Bangladesh have many areas of cooperation unexplored, which can hold tremendous potential for the two countries. He also requested to consider opening the Embassy of Bangladesh in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"The good feeling that we have, we can make good use of it for the benefit of two countries," he said.
The ambassador noted that Argentina currently has nearly 700 million US dollars of trade now in their favour and that they want to make it balanced by increasing imports from Bangladesh.
Argentina currently exports soybeans, wheat, corn, and raw cotton, among other items, to Bangladesh and imports some garment items from the country amounting to around 22 million US dollars annually.
He emphasized to work closely on issues relating to cotton, joint investment, pharmaceuticals, textile, football cooperation (including Female), microcredit, trade delegation, LNG, rice disease, Ambassador Cesa applauded Bangladesh's commitment to the prevention of enforced disappearance by signing on August 29, 2024, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPPED) that Argentina actively pursued for adoption.
He also sought Bangladesh's cooperation for introducing microfinance in Argentina.
Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs), and officials of the Chief Adviser’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present on the occasion.
BDST: 1429 HRS, JAN 19, 2025
MUM/MSK
