In the last 52 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Ireland, the recent visit of Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney to Dhaka marks a significant milestone. Ireland was among the first few European countries which recognize Bangladesh in its earliest period of independence. Even before the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, Ireland extended much-needed humanitarian support to Bangladesh during the 1970 cyclone and continued providing assistance aftermath of the 1971 Liberation War. The visit of the Irish Commerce Minister was the first high-level visit from Ireland to Bangladesh. With a keen focus on expanding bilateral cooperation, this visit holds promise for both nations to start a new chapter in their partnership. Embracing a forward-looking approach, the discussions during the visit laid the groundwork for collaboration in new sectors, including pharmaceuticals, information and communication technology (ICT), education, and aviation. By expanding cooperation beyond traditional realms, the visit aims to deepen economic ties and forge stronger people-to-people connections. This visit will no doubt work as a pacemaker in the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Ireland and Bangladesh.
The Irish Commerce Minister in Dhaka
Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney made an official visit to Dhaka from March 17 to 19. During the visit, he had separate meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, and Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman. The Irish Minister paid homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. He also celebrated St Patrick’s Day and participated in an iftar dinner. Among notable developments, Simon Convoy inaugurated Ireland’s first honorary consulate in Dhaka, coupled with the appointment of Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan as Honorary Consul, is seen as an “important milestone” in the bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested Ireland’s support for extending trade privileges, including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Everything but Arms (EBA) within the European Union (EU) until 2032. She also requested Irish businesses to consider investing in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and high-tech parks, citing a lucrative market with more than 170 million consumers. In response to concerns regarding misinformation surrounding Bangladesh’s labor policies, the Prime Minister advocated for direct communication channels between EU countries and the Bangladesh government to address any misunderstandings.
During his meeting with Adviser Salman F Rahman, the Irish Minister showed interest in investing in the pharmaceuticals, tourism, information technology, and agriculture sectors of Bangladesh to expand the basket of cooperation. He also expressed his country’s interest in taking skilled IT manpower. Both sides are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance investment and cooperation. Salman F Rahman also conveyed Bangladesh’s proposal to send a delegation to Ireland to learn more about the remarkable development journey of Ireland from one of Europe’s poorest nations to one of its most affluent.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud asked Ireland to simplify visa procedures for Bangladeshi students and IT professionals seeking opportunities in Ireland. Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Minister Coveney advocated for heightened security measures in Rohingya camps, as well as initiatives to engage Rohingyas in income-generating activities and provide improved housing. Most importantly, Ireland pledged an additional Euro 1.5 million in humanitarian aid for the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh. Both ministers also discussed the Gaza conflict, advocating for a two-state solution for lasting peace in the region. This two-day visit reflects a solid foundation of friendship and respect, paving the way for a productive partnership in the coming years.
A New Chapter of Bangladesh-Ireland Bilateral Cooperation
The two-day visit of the Irish Commerce Minister aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation, as both parties discussed the ways to enhance existing engagements while exploring new areas to cooperate.
Bangladesh and Ireland share a strong economic partnership as bilateral trade enjoys a healthy growth rate of 16.8% annually. Bangladesh exports to Ireland have increased from $7.1 million in 1995 to $446.36 million in 2023, whereas imports from Ireland have increased from $9.33 million to $40.88 million during the same period.
Figure 1: Export and Import in Between Bangladesh and Ireland (2024-2023)
Ireland has become an essential destination for Bangladeshi exports, particularly in the textile and garment industry. In 2022, Bangladesh exported a total amount of $86 million worth of knit T-shirts which covers 18.4% of total exports. On the other hand, a large share (41.6%) of Ireland’s exports to Bangladesh consisted of scrap iron totaling $14.5 million. However, Ireland has shown great interest in diversifying the export basket by incorporating agricultural products, food items, and electronic devices.
Bangladesh sees Ireland as the ideal foreign investor required to realize its goal of attaining high-income status. With plans to establish 100 Economic Zones (EZs) aimed at creating 10 million jobs and generating an additional $40 billion in export earnings by 2030, the government is actively seeking foreign investors. During the recent visit, Bangladesh proposed the allocation of a SEZ to Ireland. Irish counterpart responded positively and said there are certainly opportunities for Irish companies in areas like technology, aviation, food and nutrition, and pharmaceutical. As Salman F Rahman told the press “When the prospect of investment in Bangladesh was discussed with Ireland, they expressed keen interest.”
As part of exploring new sectors of cooperation, collaborations in the IT, Pharmaceutical, and aviation sectors will be increased by leveraging the comparative advantages of both countries in these fields. For instance, the Irish minister referred to Ireland as the Silicon Valley of Europe, as nine of the top ten technology companies in the world have their footprints in Ireland. On the other hand, Bangladesh also has IT manpower export potential to the country with its software outsourcing capabilities, including its 600,000 freelance IT professionals which ranks 1st in terms of its share of the global online workforce. Bangladesh has also made significant strides in the pharmaceutical sector as it exports its pharmaceutical products to approximately 150 countries. Ireland has also a good reputation in this sector as 11 of the top 12 pharmaceutical companies have their presence there. Simon Convoy also highlighted the potential collaboration in the aviation sector by sighting the growing middle class in Bangladesh.
Given Bangladesh’s graduation as a developing nation by 2026, securing the existing trade preferences is crucial to continue its economic development after graduation. During the visit, Bangladesh asked for support from Ireland to extend EBA and GSP+ facilities of the EU beyond 2029 and the Irish Minister affirmed his country’s support to Bangladesh’s appeal reflecting a shared goal of enhancing economic ties. The Irish minister said Bangladesh is going to receive a transition period from 2026 to 2029, and then Bangladesh will be looking for GSP plus status. He also assured that “Bangladesh should see Ireland as a friend in the European Union that can raise issues for them, potentially work with them.” It means the Bangladeshi voice in the EU will be strengthened with the support of Ireland. It also indicates deepening political trust between Bangladesh and Ireland.
The establishment of the first Honorary Consulate in Dhaka will not only strengthen political but also people-to-people connections. This will facilitate direct diplomatic communication between the countries which will help tackle misinformation and reduce misunderstanding. Besides, the easing of visa procedures and the import of skilled workers from Bangladesh will facilitate people-to-people connections. A good number of Bangladeshi people, approximately 17,000 are currently living in Ireland. Education exchange between the countries is set to grow as Simon Convoy welcomed Bangladeshi students to come to Ireland for their higher studies. He said students in Bangladesh should look at Ireland as a destination for higher studies, particularly for post-grads.
Besides, Climate change might emerge as a potential “strategic area of cooperation” between Bangladesh and Ireland, with Ireland pledging up to 225 million euros annually for climate finance. Bangladesh is trying to create resilience by creating its own climate funds such as the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) and the Bangladesh Climate Change Resilient Fund (BCCRF) to tackle climate change issues. However, the country needs assistance and expertise from its international partners to tackle this global issue. In this regard, Ireland, with its expertise in sustainable development and renewable energy, can collaborate with Bangladesh to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and build resilience in vulnerable communities.
This visit also reinforced Ireland’s continuous support to Bangladesh in the Rohingya repatriation. Simon Convoy told the reporter that “Ireland would try to work internationally to help in efforts to put pressure on the authorities in Myanmar to facilitate a safe return.” Moreover, it is expected that both countries will continue to advocate for a two-state solution to bring lasting peace to the region. It highlights their shared commitments to establish world peace and uphold justice through collaborative efforts in international forums.
Conclusion
Before leaving Bangladesh, Simon Convoy said “This is the first visit of a senior government minister to Bangladesh and this is the beginning”. This statement signals an ongoing commitment to enhanced engagement and strengthened bilateral cooperation. As both countries look ahead, opportunities abound for further collaboration, particularly in ICT, pharmaceutical, aviation, agricultural, and education sectors. With shared goals and strong political understanding, the future holds great promise for a fruitful partnership between Bangladesh and Ireland.
– Muhammad Estiak Hussain is a Research Assistant at the KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA).