Play store
Bangladesh has decided to establish three new consulates general in Guangzhou in China, Frankfurt in Germany and São Paulo in Brazil to make consular services easier for expatriate Bangladeshis and strengthen trade, investment and diplomatic engagement.
Foreign Ministry sources said the government has decided to establish the three missions and sought approval from the Finance Ministry to include new posts, vehicles and office equipment required for their operations in the organisational structure.
The Foreign Ministry said the necessary approval from the Ministry of Public Administration has already been obtained.
Guangzhou, Frankfurt and São Paulo are considered important from Bangladesh’s diplomatic, commercial and consular perspectives. The new consulates are expected to make consular services more accessible to Bangladeshis living in these regions.
Guangzhou is one of southern China’s major ports and commercial centres, with a significant presence of Bangladeshi businesspeople, students and expatriates. The region also has strong commercial links with Bangladesh, including trade in readymade garments and other products.
Bangladesh currently maintains missions in Beijing and Kunming. However, the Foreign Ministry said the considerable distance from Guangzhou makes it difficult to give adequate attention to activities in the region.
Frankfurt is one of Germany’s key financial and business centres. Germany is among Bangladesh’s major export markets, while the European Union remains Bangladesh’s largest export destination.
Bilateral merchandise trade between Bangladesh and Germany stood at around €9 billion in 2024, according to the Foreign Ministry. The proposed consulate in Frankfurt could provide greater opportunities for Bangladesh to strengthen commercial and investment links with European businesses.
São Paulo, Brazil’s principal industrial and commercial hub, is another strategic location for Bangladesh. The consulate could help strengthen Bangladesh’s political, economic and multilateral engagement with Brazil, one of South America’s largest economies.
The opening of a consulate in São Paulo could also provide Bangladesh with greater opportunities to expand commercial ties with Latin American markets and deepen diplomatic engagement on issues related to BRICS and the Global South.
The three new missions are part of Bangladesh’s broader efforts to expand its diplomatic and consular presence in key economic centres and provide more accessible services to Bangladeshi communities abroad.
