Non-resident Ambassador of Uruguay to Bangladesh Alberto A Guani has laid emphasis on people-to-people relations between Bangladesh and Uruguay to understand the development models of both counties that have witnessed tremendous economic and social developments over several decades.
Alberto A Guani was talking to a group of selected journalists at a reception held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city on Wednesday.
Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Md Atiqul Islam was present as the chief guest. Managing Director of Dragon Group and Honorary Consul of Uruguay in Dhaka Mostafa Q Sobhan received the guests at the reception
Bangladesh that got independence through a bloody war in 1971 has witnessed enviable economic and social developments over years.
Alberto A Guani has congratulated the new government, praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's role in the country's tremendous development.
Though bilateral trade between two countries are below potentials, Bangladesh’s export to Latin Mercian country marked sound growth during July-December period of the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Bangladesh’s export to Uruguay, a rich member of South America, posted a sound growth during the July-December 2023 recording at 22459468.41 US dollars.
Bangladesh’s export to Uruguay stood at 12606202.88 US dollars during July-June period of 2022-23 fiscal year. Though Uruguay export to Bangladesh during same period is not available. However, Uruguay exports to Bangladesh stood at US$56.97 million during 2022, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade
Emphasizing the peaceful and decent repatriation of Rohingya refugees in the Rakhine state, Ambassador of Uruguay Alberto A Guani said that Uruguay supported Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue at the global levels in New York, Geneva and elsewhere.
Bangladesh is a leader in UN peacekeeping, and Bangladesh and Uruguay may sign an agreement to facilitate training and experience- sharing of Uruguayan peacekeepers in Bangladesh, he said.
To question of FDI in Bangladesh, Alberto A Guani said that Uruguay had earlier conveyed its interest to sign an agreement on mutual avoidance of double taxation with Bangladesh.
The Latin American diplomat also suggested that Bangladesh may conclude the Bangladesh-Mercosur FTA as soon as possible to increase trade and investment in both directions. The diplomat accredited to Bangladesh and based in New Delhi has expressed his keen interest to expand trade relation between Bangladesh and Uruguay gradually in the coming days.
Praising enviable economic growth since the independence, he said that the Uruguay entrepreneurs may show interest to invest in Bangladesh's economic zones.
Uruguay also proposed to sign a visa waiver agreement with Bangladesh for the holders of diplomatic and official passports. Bangladesh is now working on this and soon send a draft to Uruguay for its consideration, said a MOFA official.
Soon after the liberation, Uruguay recognized Bangladesh as an independent country
Meanwhile, non-resident ambassadors and high commissioners of 14 countries to Bangladesh have paid their glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
Mostafa Quamrus Sobhan was appointed as the honorary consul of Uruguay in Bangladesh last year.
Sobhan, a distinguished industrialist and philanthropist, having graduated from Nottingham Trent University, UK in 1999 and later becoming the CEO of Dragon Group in 2010, also holds the position of director at Sonali Life Insurance Company Limited and Rupali Insurance Company Limited.
As the first-ever honorary consul of Uruguay in Bangladesh, Sobhan envisions building bridges between the two nations.
Sobhan believes that cultural exchanges and trade partnerships can transcend geographical boundaries, creating a foundation for lasting diplomatic relations.
In assuming this vital role, Sobhan aims to create a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and mutual growth amongst the two countries.
A key aspect of Sobhan's mission as honorary consul is to strengthen the bonds between Bangladesh and Uruguay through trade and cultural exchanges, drawing inspiration from his father, the former BGMEA President Mostafa Golam Quddus.
