Brazilian football star Neymar's public relations representative (PR) is a Bangladeshi, the Brazilian Ambassador in Dhaka Paulo Fernando Dias Feres has said, citing it as an example of the growing Bangladeshi diaspora in Brazil.
He was speaking at a reception event he hosted on the occasion of the 201st independence day of Brazil on Wednesday at a Dhaka hotel.
"An example of the reach of this diaspora is that Neymar's PR, Robin Mia, is a Bangladeshi," he said, adding that he met him only recently.
"There is a growing Bangladeshi diaspora in Brazil. People are working there and bringing their families to live in the country, thereby adding to its diversity and flexibility," he said.
"I met him (Robin Mia) not very long ago, and I, of course, complained about losing the last World Cup so he could take the message to his boss and his boss to his bosses in the Brazilian football confederation to see whether we can do better," the ambassador said.
The ambassador said there was a lot of potential in enhancing the bilateral relations between the countries that started in 1972 when Brazil recognized independent Bangladesh.
Last year, both countries celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations.
He said that during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, President Lulu and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed to improve cooperation on trade, livestock, agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, and ICT, among other sectors.
"They will probably meet again during the coming G20 summit in New Delhi," he said, as Brazil is a member of G20 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join as an invited guest.
The ambassador said President Lulu also showed interest in visiting Bangladesh.
"I hope he will visit in the future, which would be great to bring the two countries closer together and to enhance our trade and cooperation," he added.