<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has sought Brazilian investment in Bangladesh for stronger economic ties between the South Asian and Latin American nations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I urge you to secure the first investment during your tenure," she told Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh Paulo Fernando Dias Feres at a reception on Friday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Brazil embassy in Dhaka hosted the reception marking Brazil's 202nd Independence Day at a city hotel on Friday evening.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite Brazil recognizing Bangladesh's independence in 1972, bilateral ties have seen limited economic engagement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Notably, the visit of Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in April this year was the first-ever visit by a Brazilian foreign minister to Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In his remarks, ambassador Feres remained optimistic, highlighting that three Brazilian trade missions visited Bangladesh in the past year, signaling a growing interest in exploring opportunities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Farida also sought Brazil's backing for Bangladesh's bid to join BRICS, emphasizing the country's emerging role as a key voice in the Global South.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She also urged Brazil to support efforts to initiate and accelerate negotiations for a preferential trade agreement between Bangladesh and Mercosur, the South American trade bloc, underlining the importance of fostering South-South cooperation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Brazilian envoy expressed satisfaction over the existing Bangladesh and Brazil ties and said, "The relation is in good shape and it is ready to move forward".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Political leaders, government officials, diplomats stationed in Dhaka and dignitaries from different fields joined the reception.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>