With the spirit of friendship and sheer interest, Bangladesh and Mexico decide to harness their untapped potential resources covering the entire gamut of cooperation economic, diplomatic, and cultural domains. In this regard, Mexico will soon build an embassy in Dhaka this year as the Latin American country seeks to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties in light of Bangladesh’s expanding economy and importance in local and international affairs. The Mexican ambassador to Bangladesh, Federico Salas, was in Dhaka to submit himself to President Abdul Hamid and hand over his credentials. The decision to establish an embassy in Bangladesh will result in a deeper than ever-before rapprochement between the two countries. The meeting focused on the economy and trade, exchanges between foreign service academies, bilateral cooperation in culture, gender equality, defense, and tourism, as well as visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, but it also covered the full range of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Mexico.
At a meeting, both parties reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to exploring new possibilities for strengthening their already cordial bilateral relationship. Last but not least, the Mexican side responded favorably to the Bangladeshi side’s suggestion to expand military cooperation and exchange its extensive tourist industry knowledge. Against such a backdrop, this article tries to look at the new possibilities between these two countries in light of recent developments.
Bangladesh-Mexico Tie: From 1975 to 2023
Four years after Bangladesh’s declaration of independence, on July 8, 1975, diplomatic ties between Mexico and Bangladesh were formally established. Although they have since improved, the two nations’ ties have not yet realized their full potential. Geographical distance, linguistic and cultural hurdles, and Bangladesh’s absence of diplomatic representatives in Latin America are the main causes of this. Both countries advocate for human rights, peace, and stability which lay the foundation of a robust bilateral relationship. On the international front, Mexico and Bangladesh worked together to advance migrant rights, and they may continue to do so through the G20 to amplify the voices of the developing world.
Economically, since its diplomatic post in Mexico opened in 2012, Bangladesh’s exports to that country have increased. Although the bilateral connection between Mexico and Bangladesh is expanding recently, the two countries’ interactions are still mostly multilateral, particularly at the UN. Two-way commerce has increased by 100% to a little over $500 million during the last five years, which has given it momentum. Mexico now sells cotton to Bangladesh and purchases textiles from that country, but it is seeking to expand its exports to include pharmaceuticals and IT goods. A vast range of goods is produced in Mexico, including bovine hides and skins that have been tanned or crusted, as well as textiles, car components, dried fruits, shrimp from the ocean, and fisheries like shrimp.
– Saume Saptaparna Nath is a Research Associate at the KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA). Previously, she worked as an Intern at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh.
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