Bangladesh, Spain agree to boost trade, investment, skilled migration cooperation
Bangladesh and Spain have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, skilled migration, tourism and cultural exchanges, while accelerating the conclusion of pending agreements to further strengthen relations between the two countries.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Diego Martínez Belío in Madrid on Wednesday, according to a foreign ministry press release issued here today.
During the meeting, both sides explored opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment, with particular emphasis on strengthening business-to-business engagement, diversifying exports and organising trade exhibitions.
They also discussed prospects for broadening cooperation in emerging areas, including the creative economy, arts, sports diplomacy and tourism.
Shama underscored the potential for greater cultural cooperation and stressed the importance of expediting the conclusion of the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Highlighting the Bangladesh government’s emphasis on promoting sports nationwide, she said sports could serve as an effective instrument for strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering closer bilateral relations.
The state minister also acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Spain, describing the expatriate community as an important bridge between the two nations.
She emphasised the need to establish safe, orderly and legal migration pathways for skilled Bangladeshi workers and encouraged Spain to participate in the European Union’s Talent Partnerships initiative to facilitate employment opportunities for Bangladeshis.
Shama reiterated Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting regular and responsible labour mobility.
The Spanish state secretary reaffirmed Madrid’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Bangladesh across areas of mutual interest.
Describing the prospects for future bilateral engagement as promising, Belío expressed Spain’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening economic, cultural and people-to-people ties.
Both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of bilateral instruments already under negotiation and advance discussions on other proposed agreements.
They also expressed their willingness to convene the second round of Bangladesh-Spain Foreign Office Consultations at the earliest opportunity to review bilateral relations and identify new areas of cooperation.
The two sides underscored the importance of regular high-level exchanges to maintain the momentum of bilateral engagement and translate shared commitments into concrete outcomes.
At the outset of the meeting, Shama expressed heartfelt condolences over the tragic train accident in Toledo, Spain, earlier on Wednesday, which reportedly caused significant loss of lives.
She conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved families and those affected by the accident.
