Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies
Exploring New Horizons for Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) hosted a high-profile Book Launching Seminar for its comprehensive volume, “Look Africa: Exploring New Horizons for Bangladesh,” on Monday, 24 February 2025, at the BIISS auditorium in Dhaka. The publication marks a pivotal strategic milestone assessing Bangladesh's expanding diplomatic, economic, and trade footprint across African economies, emphasizing a robust roadmap for South–South cooperation.
Chief Guest: H E Mr. Md Touhid Hossain, Honourable Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, graced the event and highlighted how Africa’s rapid growth presents massive opportunities for trade diversification and energy partnerships.
Session Chair: Ambassador Humayun Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), chaired the event.
Welcome Address: Major General Iftekhar Anis, BSP, awc, afwc, psc, PEng, Director General of BIISS, welcomed attendees and introduced the volume, which he edited as Chief Editor alongside an expert team.
The launch featured two definitive presentations navigating the operational framework of the "Look Africa" vision:
Dr. Razia Sultana, Senior Research Fellow at BIISS and Editor of the book, delivered a presentation on the research insights, key risk parameters, and market roadmaps outlined in the chapters.
Mr. AFM Zahid-ul-Islam, Director General (North America wing) and Former Director General (Africa wing) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered a nuanced diplomatic presentation on translating bilateral ties into commercial outcomes.
The findings were systematically analyzed by two distinguished book discussants: Dr. Munshi Sulaiman (Professor and Research Director, BIGD, BRAC University) and Dr. Marufa Akter (Associate Professor and Head, Department of Global Studies and Governance, Independent University, Bangladesh). This was followed by a dynamic interactive panel exchange featuring the co-authors of the book, senior government officials, academics, and representatives from the business community.
Operationalizing Post-LDC Graduation Strategy: Addressing how Bangladesh can mitigate the upcoming erosion of preferential market access by tapping into the immense scale of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Diversifying the Export Basket: Moving aggressively beyond Ready-Made Garments (RMG) to introduce high-yield sectors like pharmaceuticals, ceramics, light engineering, ICT, and contract farming into African sub-regions.
Securing Inputs and Farmland Leases: Highlighting practical mechanisms to secure critical primary inputs—such as pulses and cotton—and establishing agricultural ties through farmland leases to lower production costs domestically.
Risk Mitigation and Playbooks: Outlining solutions to common hurdles in the African continent, including regulatory opacity and foreign exchange volatility, through development finance instruments and strategic local partnerships.
Enhancing Logistic and Cultural Corridors: Advocating for institutional policy overhauls in Dhaka, specifically targeted toward expanding direct air and maritime connectivity, establishing robust commercial diplomacy, and fostering think-tank collaborations.
