Bilateral Relations of Bangladesh and Mozambique


Bilateral Relations of Bangladesh and Mozambique


Political Relations: The diplomatic relation of Bangladesh with Mozambique had been maintained through Bangladesh Embassy in Pretoria till 2020. Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon was accredited to Mozambique on 10 February 2021 through a gazette notification. Since then, Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon has been engaged with the Embassy of Mozambique in Lisbon to further the bilateral relations. Generally, Bangladesh enjoys friendly bilateral relations with Mozambique based on shared common positions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest at international and interest-based platforms including the UN, NAM, OIC and the Commonwealth. Bangladesh has also an Honorary Consul General in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Bangladesh’s non-resident Ambassador to Mozambique is expected to present his credentials to the President of Mozambique soon.

President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi stopped over in Dhaka on 14 and 16 November 2021 during his travel to and from Republic of Korea. Following that, the President invited Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh and wished to send a high-level multi-sectoral technical team to Bangladesh to identify areas of cooperation with Bangladesh. Hon’ble Prime Minister accepted the invitation and welcomed the idea.

Trade, Commerce and Investment relations: Any institutional linkage between the business entities of the two countries is yet to develop. Though there is no formal business forum, bilateral trade has been expanding year by year. The balance of trade over the last couple of years has largely been in favour of Bangladesh. The main export items of Bangladesh to Mozambique till date are: ready made garments, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, agricultural products and so on. The statistics of Bangladesh’s export to the country are given below:

Fiscal Year


Export

(USD)


2012-2013


1428745.56


2013-2014


765602.01


2014-2015


672160.42


2015-2016


283177.60


2016-2017


364385.57


2017-2018


438445.7


2018-2019


899145.11


2019-2020


878648.71


2020-2021


277656.92



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Source: Export Promotion Bureau (EPB)

If dialogue and exchange of visits of the business delegations between the two countries take place, there is good possibility of enhancement of bilateral trade and investment. The Government of Mozambique is encouraging investments in agricultural sector. Bangladeshi entrepreneurs may think over investing in this sector.