Help develop our football: PM to Argentine FM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought Argentina's cooperation in developing Bangladesh football.

The premier made the call as the Latin American country's visiting Minister for Foreign, International Trade and Worship Affairs Santiago Andres Cafiero paid a courtesy call on her on Tuesday.

"Help develop our football. Messi and Argentina football are very familiar up to our grassroots level," PM's Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam quoted her as saying in a media briefing after the meeting at her official Ganabhaban residence.

Hasina also stressed boosting cooperation between Bangladesh and Argentina on various issues of mutual interests that include trade, commerce, economic, social, and cultural and tourism sectors, said Nazrul Islam.

She said Argentina can buy RMG products, high quality pharmaceuticals, jute and jute goods, leather and footwear items from Bangladesh and her country can import animal and vegetable fats, oil and oil seeds, fruits, dairy products and natural honey from Argentina.

The Argentine foreign minister expressed his satisfaction saying she never thought that Bangladesh is so beautiful country.

Argentina first opened its embassy in Dhaka in 1974 but it was closed in 1978 by the military junta that ruled the country at that time. 

On Monday, the Argentina Embassy was reopened in Dhaka's Banani area.

The visiting minister praised the role of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in fighting climate change.

Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, Secretary (West) at the Foreign Ministry Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury and non-resident Ambassador of Argentina to Bangladesh Hugo Gobbi were present.