Bangladesh Ambassador to Brazil, Ms. Sadia Faizunnesa, presented her Letters of Credence as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bangladesh to the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, on February 10, 2022. The vibrant presentation ceremony was held at the Planalto Palace, Presidential Office of the Brazilian Presidency. The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Foreign Minister of Brazil Mr. Carlos França. The presentation of credentials was followed by a courtesy meeting between the President and the Ambassador.
President of Brazil, Mr. Jair Bolsonaro, warmly welcomed and greeted Ambassador. Mentioning Brazil as one of the largest democracies in the world, President Bolsonaro said that his government is eager to strengthen its relationship with all friendly countries including Bangladesh. Ambassador Sadia Faizunnesa conveyed the warm greetings of Hon’ble President and Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh to the Brazilian President. On behalf of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, she invited the Brazilian President for an official visit at his earliest convenience to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh. The Ambassador also briefed the Brazilian President about the celebration of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Ambassador Sadia Faizunnesa described the recent socio-economic development of Bangladesh that took place under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She also discussed important aspects of Bangladesh-Brazil relations with the Brazilian President. She drew attention to the fact that despite enjoying excellent political relations since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the two countries has just begun to explore their bilateral trade and economic potentials. She said that although Brazil is 58 times bigger than Bangladesh in terms of land area, with its 170 million people and one of the fastest growing economies of the world, Bangladesh is an important bilateral trading partner of Brazil. She requested President Bolsonaro for his support to expand the trade, economic and agriculture cooperation between our two countries.
Ambassador Sadia informed that Bangladesh is eager to sign a free trade agreement with Mercosur (Mercosur is a trade bloc of the big economies of South America i.e., Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). Highlighting on Bangladesh’s strength as the second largest RMG producer and world class pharmaceutical manufacturer, the Ambassador told the Brazilian President that Bangladesh has the potential to be an important partner with Mercosur. She sought President Bolsonaro’s kind support to negotiate the FTA with Mercosur. The President listened to the Ambassador attentively and advised the Brazilian Foreign Minister to start working towards strengthening the bilateral cooperation including trade and agriculture. Brazilian President said that his government has been working to expand trade and agricultural cooperation with other important economies and promised for his support in further enhancing the trade relationship with Bangladesh.
The Ambassador also mentioned that Brazil football team is very popular in Bangladesh and more than half of the houses in Bangladesh hoist Brazilian flags during the World Cup football as a sign of their support to the Brazilian national team. President Bolsonaro requested the Ambassador and her delegation to support Palmeiras against Chelsea in the upcoming Club World Cup final which will be held in Abu Dhabi on 12 February 2022.
Before concluding the meeting, the Ambassador reiterated that on the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh-Brazil relations, Bangladesh looks forward to deeply engaging in a multitude of ways with Brazil- the largest economy in the region and to gain a thrust momentum in the partnership there is no alternative to an exchange of VVIP visit. The Ambassador also cordially invited the President to grand reception hosted by Bangladesh Embassy to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Independence and mark the 50 years of Bangladesh-Brazil diplomatic relations. President Bolsonaro was enthusiastic about visiting Bangladesh, and he committed that his government would continue working with Bangladesh to further strengthen the relations.
During her departure from the Planalto Palace Ambassador Sadia Faizunnesa received a Guard of Honour. Immediately following the ceremony, the Ambassador returned to the chancery and paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation.
