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Visiting Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Santiago Andres Cafiero has showed keen interest in increasing bilateral trade between the Latin American country and Bangladesh.
He has also stressed cooperation between the two countries for the expansion of tourism sector.
Cafiero expressed the interest while talking to Unique Group Managing Director Mohd. Noor Ali during a luncheon meeting at InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on Monday. Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries President Md Jashim Uddin was also present at that time.
Mohd. Noor Ali said, “They are highly interested in increasing bilateral trade and ensuring support for Bangladesh to meet the import demands of edible oil, meat, wheat and many other things. Cafiero assured that the new embassy will help the country in this regard.”
He said, “The Argentine minister sought our cooperation in increasing businesses between the two nations.”
Mohd. Noor Ali said, “Cafiero also invited us to visit Argentina to explore new opportunity of business.”
“On Tuesday, we will meet the Argentine minister again to discuss the trade and other potential issues,” he added.
At present, the annual bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Argentina stands at more than $800 million. Bangladesh imported products worth $791.5 million from Argentina in FY2021-22, according to Bangladesh Bank data.
According to Export Promotion Bureau data, Bangladesh exported products worth $9.29 million in July-January FY2022-23.
The Argentine minister arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning to inaugurate the new Argentine Embassy at Banani at the capital’s Banani.
Argentina reopened its embassy in Dhaka after 45 years. The Argentine Embassy was closed in 1978 by the military junta that ruled the Latin American country at that time.
Diplomatic operations, such as visas in order to travel, have since been handled by the embassy in neighbouring India.
Apart from reopening the Argentine embassy in Dhaka, Cafiero is likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi.
