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Bangladesh and Spain have discussed expanding trade and investment, diversifying exports and increasing cooperation in recruiting skilled workers during a meeting in Madrid.
The issues were discussed at a meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam and Diego Martinez Belio, secretary of Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Global Affairs, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The two sides stressed the need to make better use of existing trade and investment opportunities, strengthen business-to-business contacts, explore new markets and organise joint exhibitions.
Highlighting opportunities to deepen cultural cooperation, Shama Obaed Islam emphasised the early finalisation of a proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation.
Both sides also exchanged views on expanding collaboration in sports diplomacy, the creative economy, arts and tourism.
The state minister said the government was prioritising the promotion of sports nationwide, adding that sporting activities could play an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.
She also highlighted the contribution of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Spain, describing the community as an important bridge between the two countries.
Shama Obaed Islam stressed the need to expand legal migration opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers and urged Spain to join the European Union’s Talent Partnerships initiative.
She also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy towards human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Spain expressed interest in strengthening ties with Bangladesh in areas of mutual interest. Diego Martinez Belio described the prospects for future cooperation as promising and assured Spain’s support for advancing bilateral initiatives.
Both sides agreed to expedite the finalisation of agreed bilateral documents and advance ongoing discussions and MoU-related processes.
They also expressed interest in holding the second Bangladesh-Spain Foreign Office Consultations as soon as possible, emphasising the importance of regular high-level visits and communication to deepen bilateral cooperation.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Bangladeshi state minister expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives in a major train accident in Toledo, Spain, on Thursday. She extended condolences to the bereaved families and expressed sympathy for those affected by the accident.
