Experts at a programme on Wednesday stressed the need for tapping trade and economic potentials between Bangladesh and South Africa.
They said that there is huge potential between the two countries in different sectors like apparel, pharmaceuticals, fisheries, leather products and tourism.
The experts also called for enhancing collaboration between the two countries in the fields of education, skills development, technology transfer and maritime economy.
They made the call at a lecture on 'Commemorating the silver jubilee of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Bangladesh' organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its office in the capital.
Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director General of Asia and Middle East, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), South Asia spoke on the occasion as the guest of honour, with Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque in the chair.
In the opening remark, the BIISS Director General (DG) Major General AKM Abdur Rahman said the two countries have been maintaining good relations for a long period of time.
He also highlighted the bilateral trade and economic relations for the sake of mutual progress and prosperity.
Ambassador Anil Sooklal said that almost 25 years ago on September 10 in 1994 Bangladesh and South Africa formalized diplomatic relations. Hailing Bangladesh's economic progress in the recent years, he said: "South Africa values its relations with Bangladesh and recognises that there is much for us to learn from you in achieving socio-economic goals within set timeframes."
Mentioning the bilateral relations, he said: "Bangladesh and South Africa have enormous potential to expand economic relations between our countries, considering that bilateral trade grew from a mere US $1.9 million in 1994 to $337 million in 2018."
Responding to a query from one of the guests, he said Dhaka will get the first South African embassy if they open any new office in Asia alongside the existing ones.
Currently, Bangladeshis have to take the support of Delhi office of the African country for visa and other services.
Mr Sooklal also said his government is also preparing to launch Electronic Visa (E-Visa) by the next year, which will facilitate visa regime for all countries.
He suggested Bangladeshi businesspeople to meet South African honorary consul in Dhaka directly, if they face difficulties in getting a visa.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque said the two nations are working not only at the bilateral level but also at the multinational level.
The two countries have been cooperating in the Commonwealth, in Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and in Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Bangladesh has been strengthening its relations with South Africa not only by visiting on a regular basis and seeing how people get connected, but also in terms of setting up missions, he added.
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