Bangladesh sees Latin America not only as a market for its exports, but also as a valued partner with whom its people could share its culture, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam yesterday while addressing a seminar titled “Bangladesh’s relations with Latin Amercian countries: unlocking potential”.

Bangladesh thinks Latin America to be a prospective market for exports and hence plans to go beyond the traditional export markets and establish new politico-cultural and economic relations with Latin America.

One resident and eight non-resident envoys from Latin American countries attended the day long seminar co-organized by the foreign ministry and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies or BIISS.

Alam said that they are eyeing the large Latin American market for their jute products, handicarfts, pharmaceuticals, leathers, ceramic wares, plastic and melamine goods, IT products and services, agricultural products and services.

Bangladesh wants to explore new areas of cooperation with all the countries of the region. But garment exports from Bangladesh to Latin American countries have shown a healthy growth in the last few years.

Bangladesh's relationship with Latin America is not only centred around issues and matters of bilateral interests and benefits but also about seizing the growing opportunities for cooperation and collaboration on contemporary global importance and development.