Dhaka, 02 February 2023: 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, MP inaugurated the exhibition, 'Made in Bangladesh' at a local hotel in Pretoria, South Africa today organised by the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria . The exhibition was jointly organised by Business Unity, South Africa, BUSA and Black Business Council, South Africa. Shahriar Alam inaugurated the exhibition formally by cutting ribbon. South African government officials, chamber representatives, business personalities and ambassadors based in Pretoria joined the event. The visiting guests highly appreciated the jute, ceramic, textiles, leather, food products and handicrafts of Bangladesh which were put on display in the exhibition.  

A seminar was organized on the occasion. State Minister in his speech touched upon Bangladesh's remarkable march in the economic sphere. He urged the South African business and investors to engage more with Bangladesh. He cited the different emerging industrial sectors of Bangladesh. Bangladesh High Commissioner, South African chamber officials and the Foreign Ministry officials of South Africa also spoke on the event. 

The South African Foreign Ministry representative in her speech referred to the close and traditional bonds between Bangladesh and South Africa. She highly commended the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh’s progress towards achieving the Vision 2041. She urged the Bangladeshi businessmen to be more engaged with South Africa for benefitting from business opportunities there as well as for more cooperation between the chambers. In his speech, the Black Business Council representative suggested that Bangladesh may import various goods from South Africa  given the large and growing consumer market of Bangladesh. He termed South Africa as lucrative  business destination and Bangladeshi businessmen can reach out to other SADC countries from there.

Earlier today, the State Minister had interaction with the representatives of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) at their office in Sandston. He was accompanied by Bangladesh High Commissioner in Pretoria and officials of the Foreign Ministry. At the outset, the BUSA officials referred to the huge trade and business opportunities between Bangladesh and South Africa. The State Minister urged for joint efforts for realizing the trade and business opportunities between  Bangladesh and South Africa. He mentioned the economic strength of the both countries, especially, in the exports sectors. He urged for augmentation of mutual exports and imports by means of enhancing contacts. The State Minister invited the South African dignitaries and chambers to join the 50th anniversary programmes of FBCCI in March, 2023 in Dhaka. 

The BUSA delegation suggested holding mutual discussions to identify potential sectors of trade and Investment. 

The State Minister is paying official visits to South Africa, Eswatini and Botswana. He is due to have meetings with the government dignitaries of the countries as well as chambers and business entities.