Over the years, diplomacy has been among the most important tools for any nation, particularly those looking to take the next logical step as far as making their mark globally and be recognized as a legitimate economic force. The more alliances a nation builds up, the more secure its position is.
As such, it is encouraging to see that Spain wants more in-depth cooperation with Bangladesh, with the Spanish ambassador adding that there are many unexplored areas and resources between Bangladesh and Spain.
Bangladesh already enjoys a healthy relationship with most European countries thanks to its partnership with the EU. The lessons learned from that engagement can readily be applied to this burgeoning relationship with Spain. Spain can assist Bangladesh in a number of ways, and we would do well to explore each and every avenue.
Of course, there is also the added benefit of having another export market, through which we can work on both increasing and diversifying our exports. Building bilateral relationships also has benefits for the internal situation of the country.
Bangladesh has certainly made strides in recent years but there exist concerns, chief of which could be the less-than-business-friendly environment of the country, over which investors have rightfully expressed their concerns. The more bilateral partners we have, the more potential investors we have, and the more pressure on the authorities to cultivate a more business-friendly culture. This way, we stand a chance of fixing some of the ills within the country as well.
This is a positive opportunity for Bangladesh, one that it should maximize. Furthermore, while a noteworthy indication of what our diplomatic wing is capable of, exploring future relationships should be the norm moving forward.
