CA urges Argentina to transform footballing ties into trade cooperation

In order to boost bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, including trade, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus today asked Argentina to strengthen the emotional footballing links that Bangladesh has with the nation.

When Marcelo Cesa, the Argentine Ambassador to Bangladesh, paid him a visit in his office in the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, the Chief Adviser made the call.

The Chief Advisor remarked, “We have the emotional connection,” referring to the Bangladeshi people’s resounding support for the Argentina football team. We can expand on that. The ground is prepared. We can apply it to different domains.

He asked the ambassador to look for the opportunity of setting up ventures on full ownership or joint venture for cotton related trade and investment with Bangladesh and explore potential for energy cooperation.

Ambassador Cesa told the Chief Adviser that Argentina and Bangladesh have many areas of cooperation unexplored, which can hold tremendous potential for the two countries.

He also requested to consider opening the Embassy of Bangladesh in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“The good feeling that we have, we can make good use of it for the benefit of two countries,” he said.

The envoy stated that Argentina wants to increase imports from Bangladesh in order to balance the almost US$700 million in trade that is currently in their favor.

Currently, Argentina imports some clothing products from Bangladesh for about US$22 million a year and exports a variety of goods to Bangladesh, including soybeans, wheat, corn, and raw cotton.

Cotton, joint investment, pharmaceuticals, textiles, football collaboration (especially female), microcredit, trade delegation, LNG, and rice disease are among the subjects he stressed needing close attention.

On August 29, 2024, Ambassador Cesa signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPPED), which Argentina vigorously sought to adopt, praising Bangladesh’s dedication to preventing enforced disappearances.

He also sought Bangladesh’s cooperation for introducing microfinance in Argentina.

Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs), and officials of the Chief Adviser’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present on the occasion.