Dhaka hopes for Ganges water sharing treaty: Shama

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today described her recent visits to Spain and the United Kingdom as fruitful, saying the visits had opened opportunities for expanding Bangladesh's trade, investment, climate cooperation, education and cultural diplomacy.

She said this while briefing newsmen on her recently concluded to nations visits to Spain and the UK at the foreign ministry here this afternoon.

During her visit to Spain, Shama attended an exhibition organised by the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, bringing together business representatives from both countries.

She said Spain had emerged as one of Bangladesh's leading export destinations, particularly for readymade garments and textiles, creating opportunities to further expand bilateral trade.

The exhibition featured businesses involved in garments, jute, chemicals and other industries, including entrepreneurs pursuing joint ventures and industrial cooperation in both countries.

Shama said she had promoted Bangladeshi jute products and discussed opportunities for attracting Spanish foreign direct investment.

She also held bilateral talks with Spain's State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs, Diego Martínez Belío, focusing on trade, investment, export diversification and expanding cooperation in new sectors.

The state minister said the Spanish side expressed interest in strengthening economic engagement with Bangladesh.

During her United Kingdom visit, Shama held discussions with the British government's Special Representative for Climate, focusing on climate resilience, adaptation, climate finance and opportunities for closer bilateral and multilateral cooperation ahead of COP31.

She said both sides explored possibilities for strengthening collaboration on climate-related challenges and future engagements during the UN climate conference.

Shama also visited the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford, where she toured an exhibition featuring Bangladeshi artist Soma Surovi Jannat.

She said discussions were held on expanding cultural cooperation, academic exchanges, scholarships and possible collaboration involving Bangladeshi institutions, the Ashmolean Museum and the University of Oxford.

Describing the visits as productive, the state minister expressed optimism that the engagements would contribute to stronger bilateral relations and create new opportunities for Bangladesh in trade, investment, climate diplomacy, education and cultural cooperation.