DHAKA, April 8, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon Brazil to import directly Readymade Garment (RMG) products from Bangladesh.

"RMG goods from Bangladesh have been being exported to Brazil on a limited scale through the third party. It will be more affordable for Brazil if the country directly imports RMG items from Bangladesh," she said.

The premier came up with the remarks while a delegation of Brazil led by its Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira paid a courtesy call on her at her office here this morning.

PM's Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam briefed the newsmen after the meeting.

Stressing the need for ensuring trade balance between Bangladesh and Brazil, Sheikh Hasina said the trade balance between the two countries has highly tilted to Brazil.

Brazil can import more products including jute and jute goods and leather items from Bangladesh to make sure the trade balance between the two countries, she continued.

The prime minister said Bangladesh mainly imports sugar, soyabin oil and cotton from Brazil.

"There are huge scopes to increase bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Brazil," she said.

Sheikh Hasina has also stressed the need for enhancing the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brazil.

The Brazilian foreign minister has conveyed an invitation letter of his country's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the Bangladesh premier to attend the final meeting of the G20 Task Force for the creation of a global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to be held at Rio de Janeiro on July 24.

Mauro Vieira has also highly praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He said Brazil wants to use the experience of Bangladesh's journey towards development for its advancement.

The Brazilian minister said Brazil and Bangladesh have same size of population and have been working to fight poverty and hunger.

He also appreciated Bangladesh's stance on Gaza issue, saying his country is also against the Israeli attack on Gaza.

The Bangladesh premier said Bangladesh and Brazil cherish same opinion on different international issues.

Sheikh Hasina described the attack on Gaza by Israel a genocide as women, children and aged people have been killed even in the attacks on hospitals and shelter centers.

"Women, children and aged people don't get any respite from the attacks," she said.

The prime minister recalled with due respect that Brazil being a South American country first recognised Bangladesh as an independent country on May 15, 1972.

She also sought help from Brazil for the development of Bangladesh football.

The Brazilian foreign minister as well gifted a jersey of his country’s national football team inscribed with Sheikh Hasina to the prime minister.

PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Senior Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Masud Bin Momen were present.