Portugal has attributed Bangladesh's rapid rise in the economic and social sectors in recent times to the existing political stability under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Portugal also acknowledged Bangladesh’s continued regional cooperation in its neighbourhood.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam met Portuguese Minister for Economy and Sea Antonio Costa Silva on Thursday and discussed the areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Recognising that there remains considerable potential for cooperation between the countries, the Portuguese minister reiterated that Portugal stands ready to expand collaboration in the diverse areas spanning renewable energy, green transition, marine technology, ocean economy and so on.
Shahriar agreed to advance cooperation in these areas and sought Portugal’s support for regional hydropower, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both Bangladesh and Portugal being coastal countries, face a common existential threat from climate change and rising sea level, which makes it necessary to foster further climate cooperation.
Shahriar apprised him about Bangladesh’s leading role in Indian Ocean Rim Association and the International Seabed Authority and agreed to take forward Bangladesh-Portugal partnership in this regard.
He also called for enhanced knowledge sharing and partnership in the areas of oceanography and maritime affairs.
The state minister mentioned the difficulties experienced by the Bangladeshi visa applicants due to the mandatory requirement for physical presence in the Portuguese embassy in New Delhi and requested the minister's intervention in simplifying the process by allowing a service provider to operate in Bangladesh.
On the trade and investment front, the Portuguese minister expressed his desire to continue the ongoing cooperation in finalising the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and suggested elaboration of an investment protection agreement.
To consolidate the existing partnership at the multilateral level, the minister invited Bangladesh to participate in the upcoming Second UN Ocean Conference to be held from June 27 to July 1 in Portugal.
A high-level Bangladesh delegation will participate in the conference, the state minister said.
The Portuguese minister recalled his visit to Bangladesh 15 years back and expressed his desire to visit Bangladesh soon to experience the positive transition that has shaped Bangladesh now.
The state minister was accompanied by Bangladesh Ambassador to Lisbon Tarik Ahsan and other officials.
Earlier in the day, Shahriar visited Bangladesh Chancery and addressed the Bangladesh Embassy team, followed by paying tribute at the local Shaheed Minar.
