On July 20, FGV received a visit from a Bangladeshi government delegation led by foreign minister Shahriar Alam. This was the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry’s first official visit to Brazil and it marked the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the visit, FGV’s president, Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, and Shahriar Alam talked about the two countries’ socioeconomic development initiatives, infrastructure projects that are part of Bangladesh’s 2041 Vision and the potential for bilateral cooperation in the academic and scientific fields. Bangladesh has been one of the world’s fastest growing economies in the last decade and it stands out for its success in eradicating poverty and reducing social inequality.

After the meeting, the delegation attended a lunch hosted by FGV. The guests included Bangladesh’s ambassador to Brazil, Sadia Faizunnesa, and a Bangladeshi business delegation led by the president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), Jashmin Uddin, and representatives of the Bangladesh-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (BBCC). FGV’s international director, Marlos Lima, and its international manager, Klaus Stier, were also present.

The Brazilian government recognized Bangladesh’s independence immediately after it was declared and it was the first Latin American country to establish a diplomatic mission in the country. The relationship between the two countries has developed in recent years and their governments have expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation. Bangladesh was the 35^th biggest importer of Brazilian products in 2021 and the country plans to expand its partnerships with Brazil, particularly in the technology area, focusing on agricultural production.