PM likely to visit Brazil in July: Hasan Mahmud

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit Brazil in July at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"We have discussed the possible visit of our Prime Minister to Brazil. There is an invitation by President Lula. There might be a visit by the Prime Minister to Brazil next July," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters at State guesthouse Jamuna at a joint briefing after his bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said his government is thankful for the positive contributions that Bangladesh has been providing to G20 discussions.

He brought a personal letter of the Brazilian President which he will hand over to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his meeting scheduled for Monday morning.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Luda had a meeting on August 24 at Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

In the meeting, the two leaders renewed commitment to a shared vision and a common goal to forge a fairer world, free from hunger and poverty, where dignity, sustainable development, prosperity, and peace prevail in the societies.

While responding to a question, the Brazilian FM said over the past decade, Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown significant social and economic achievements.

Bangladesh and Brazil are key players from the Global South, he said, on Sunday .

"Our governments' common goal is to reduce inequality, fight against hunger and poverty and to promote sustainable development of our societies," said the Brazilian Foreign Minister.

He said the bilateral trade is equally promising, reaching almost USD 2.5 billon in 2023 and laid emphasis on diversification of trade.

He said the business meeting, to be held on Monday, will be useful for their entrepreneurs to explore new investments and opportunities.

On Monday afternoon, the Brazilian Foreign Minister is scheduled to deliver a lecture on Brazil's priority areas at G20 as the current chair.


The event will be held at Foreign Service Academy at 3 pm.

Country’s apex trade body, FBCCI, will host an iftar and dinner in honour of the Brazilian Foreign Minister and business delegation members on Monday evening.

Foreign Minister Hasan described the visit of the Foreign Minister of Brazil as very significant.

The government of Brazil earlier congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her recent election victory.

Brazil expressed its willingness to continue deepening relations with Bangladesh, in favour of the development of both countries, the promotion of South-South cooperation, and the fight against poverty, hunger, and climate crisis.

Brazil-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, established in 1972, have strengthened in recent years.

The Brazilian Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 11:55 pm on Monday.

Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral) Dr Nazrul Islam will be there at the Dhaka airport to see him off.