Bangladesh, South Africa vow stronger bilateral cooperation
DHAKA, May 21, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh and South Africa today agreed to
strengthen political, economic and multilateral cooperation as the two
countries held the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in
Pretoria after a six-year hiatus.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam led the Bangladesh delegation while the
South African side was headed by Ambassador DE Malcomson, Acting Deputy
Director-General for Asia and Middle East at South Africa’s Department of
International Relations and Cooperation, during the consultations held in
Pretoria, said a foreign ministry’s press release here.
The meeting reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explored
future areas of cooperation of mutual interest, according to a joint
communiqu‚ issued following the consultations.
The two sides underscored the longstanding relations between Bangladesh and
South Africa forged through solidarity, friendship and cooperation, while
marking the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between
the two countries.
They expressed regret over the six-year gap in diplomatic consultations
caused mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to intensify high-level
exchanges and institutional engagements to further deepen bilateral ties.
During the meeting, Bangladesh requested South Africa to establish a resident
diplomatic mission in Dhaka, while the South African side assured that the
matter would be considered in the near future.
The two countries welcomed the significant growth in bilateral trade and
economic relations, noting that stronger commercial ties could contribute to
employment generation and economic growth in both countries.
Bangladesh also invited a South African trade delegation to visit Bangladesh
to explore new investment and business opportunities.
The consultations highlighted cooperation in sports, particularly cricket,
alongside people-to-people exchanges, arts and culture. Bangladesh
appreciated South Africa’s scholarship offer for young Bangladeshi cricketers
and sought expanded scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students at
undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The two sides also agreed to regularly review cooperation in priority sectors
including agriculture, defence, transport and education.
On multilateral issues, Bangladesh and South Africa stressed the importance
of closer coordination in international forums to advance the interests of
the Global South.
As members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), both countries
reaffirmed the significance of the Indian Ocean and Blue Economy in promoting
sustainable development and regional prosperity.
The meeting also exchanged views on regional and global developments and
agreed to expedite the implementation of decisions taken at the sixth
consultations, including the finalisation of pending agreements and
memorandums of understanding.
It was also agreed that the seventh Foreign Office Consultations would be
held in Dhaka in 2027 on dates to be decided through diplomatic channels.
