State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh and Eswatini can establish cooperation in agro-production, agro-processing and food security areas in the context of growing demand for food and essential commodities.
He mentioned the remarkable success that Bangladesh has achieved in agriculture and social development sectors including achieving targets of the MDGs.
The state minister had bilateral talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini Thulisile Dladla in Mbabane on February 6.
The high commissioner of Bangladesh to South Africa and high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.
The visit comes following the visit of the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade of Eswatini Manqoba Khumalo to Dhaka in July 2022.
The MoU between Bangladesh and Eswatini on “Establishment of Comprehensive Consultation Mechanism” and the memorandum of agreement on “Contract Farming and Agricultural Cooperation” were signed by State Minister Shahriar Alam and his counterpart Thulisile Dladla, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
During the talks, both sides discussed the possibility of establishing contract farming by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in Eswatini and agreed to work on the matter.
Both sides also agreed to explore possibilities of cooperation in agro-processed and food industries.
Jabulani Mabuza, the minister for agriculture of Eswatini, said agriculture is a major potential area of cooperation between Eswatini and Bangladesh.
He said a delegation from the Eswatinian Agriculture Ministry may visit Bangladesh to share knowledge in the agriculture sector.
Jabulani Mabuza also invited Bangladeshi agricultural farms to establish contract farming in Eswatini. The Eswatinian side showed interest in sharing knowledge in agricultural production, agro-commercialisation as well as agro-research and extension areas with Bangladesh.
The foreign minister of Eswatini expressed a desire to enhance the present level of relations with Bangladesh.
She maintained that Eswatini looked to develop business and investment relations with Bangladesh and suggested the conclusion of the MoU between the FBCCI and the Eswatinian apex chamber of commerce in the field of business cooperation.
The state minister conveyed the greetings of President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to King Mswati III.
Shahriar stressed on promotion of trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and Eswatini for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
He underlined the need for the conclusion of agreements in visa waiver for diplomats and official passport holders and avoidance of double taxation with a view to promoting contacts, trade and business.
The state minister invited the Eswatinian armed forces officers to join courses in defence institutions in Bangladesh.
Briefing on the opportunities for higher education in Bangladesh's private universities, he suggested that Eswatinian students may opt to study in different private universities in Bangladesh.
