Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a Book Launching Seminar titled “Look Africa: Exploring New Horizons for Bangladesh” on 24 February 2025. The event was graced by Mr Md Touhid Hossain, Honourable Foreign Adviser, Government of Bangladesh, as Chief Guest, with introductory remarks delivered by Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General, BIISS. Ambassador Humayun Kabir, President of BEI, chaired the session. Dr Razia Sultana presented the book, followed by insightful presentations from Mr AFM Zahid-Ul-Islam and discussions by Dr Munshi Sulaiman and Dr Marufa Akter.
Speakers highlighted Africa’s growing economic potential and Bangladesh’s interest in fostering stronger partnerships in sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, IT, and trade. They also emphasized the shared history between Bangladesh and Africa, including collaboration in peacekeeping and solidarity through the Non-Aligned Movement. The seminar concluded with a call to explore untapped opportunities for deeper cooperation and mutual growth between Bangladesh and African nations.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a Book Launching Seminar titled “Look Africa: Exploring New Horizons for Bangladesh” on 24 February 2025. Mr Md Touhid Hossain, Honourable Foreign Adviser, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Major General Iftekhar Anis, BSP, awc, afwc, psc, PENG, Director General, BIISS, delivered the Introductory Remarks. Ambassador Humayun Kabir, President of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) chaired and wrapped the session up with some remarks.

A presentation on the book was delivered by Dr Razia Sultana, Senior Research Fellow of BIISS. Mr AFM Zahid-Ul-Islam, Former DG Africa Wing and Current DG North America Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh delivered a presentation on “Africa-Bangladesh Relations: An Overview”. There were two discussions on the book. Distinguished Discussants of the Book were Dr Munshi Sulaiman, Professor and Research Director, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and Dr Marufa Akter, Associate Professor and Head Department of Global Studies and Governance, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).

Distinguished Speakers and participants noted that in recent years, Africa has become an area of significant economic opportunity due to its vast natural resources. Many African nations are experiencing impressive economic growth, spurred by regional economic collaborations and improved governance. This trend has not gone unnoticed by Bangladesh, which is keen to build stronger partnerships with African countries in key sectors such as agriculture, education, health, and information technology (IT). In return, African nations are eager to collaborate with Bangladesh in areas such as trade, investment, contract farming, e-commerce, education, environment, healthcare, and logistics, aiming for mutual benefit. This alignment of interests between Bangladesh and African countries presents numerous opportunities to enhance both social progress and economic prosperity by sharing expertise and resources. Esteemed speakers also highlighted that there is also potential for deeper collaboration in the areas of peace and security. Bangladesh’s engagement with Africa dates back to 1989 when it sent observer groups to Namibia. Since then, Bangladesh has consistently contributed to peacekeeping efforts across the continent, sending troops and personnel on numerous United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. Both regions have shared common struggles during the decolonisation period and actively participated in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), standing in solidarity against colonialism. While Bangladesh has made efforts to strengthen these historical ties, the full potential of its engagement with Africa remains largely untapped. Given Africa’s increasing strategic importance, Bangladesh is now eager to revitalise its relations with the continent and explore new avenues for deeper cooperation. Senior officials from different ministries, diplomatic missions, media, researchers, academicians and students from various universities, representatives from different think tanks, international organisations, actively participated in the book launching seminar and enriched it by presenting their valuable opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session.