Text and photos: Juan David Latorre
Last Monday, the Embassy of Bangladesh celebrated the 55th Anniversary of Independence and the National Day of the People’s Republic with a reception for the Diplomatic Corps and a large representation of the Bangladeshi community in Spain.
In his speech, Ambassador Masudur Rahman wanted to remember the heroes of Bangladesh’s independence and the figure of the leader, the martyr President Ziaur Rahman, who proclaimed on 26 March 1971 “a liberated and independent Bangladesh”.
“Today we commemorate,” the ambassador noted, “the courage, resilience, and unwavering spirit of all those who dedicated themselves to the struggle for our independence. They envisioned a country where freedom and justice would prevail, where everyone would be free to pursue their dreams without fear or oppression. Today we reaffirm our vow to lead Bangladesh to the greatest heights of glory for which our freedom fighters gave their lives.”
The Bangladeshi ambassador also wished to pay “the deepest tribute to the noble legacy of three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the indomitable soul of Bangladesh, the mother of democracy, and the torchbearer of freedom and national dignity, whose lifelong struggle for the cause of our people culminated in the democratization of Bangladesh.”
Today, Masudur Rahman noted that “under the guidance of our honorable Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh has embarked on a new and courageous path in our struggle for freedom, development, and greater empowerment. Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia and the seventh-largest democracy in the world. Its geographic location holds immense geostrategic importance for transcontinental Eurasian trade. We are a melting pot of rich cultures and heritages, vividly manifested in the unified fabric of Bangladeshi nationality. It is this appeal that unites us as a nation committed to building a future that reflects the principles of freedom and equality for all our citizens.”
“Bengali, the official language of Bangladesh, is the sixth most spoken language in the world. Bangladesh is currently projected to rise to the 24th economy in the world. The transformation is progressing rapidly,” he stated.
After highlighting his country’s role as the “second largest exporter of clothing” and its “more than half of the world’s tallest eco-friendly textile factories,” the Bangladeshi ambassador noted that “Bangladesh offers enormous opportunities in sectors such as tea, jute, leather, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, chilled seafood, the blue economy, ceramics, ICT, light engineering, and hospitals. Bangladesh produces some of the world’s finest leather and jute and has established a liberal and highly attractive investment regime that greatly facilitates business activity.”
After noting that “Bangladesh remains committed to global peace, security, and harmony. It is also recognized as a leader in climate action and disaster management, promoting inclusive development and prioritizing zero carbon emissions and environmental sustainability,” Masudur Rahman confirmed that his country has nominated Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman as its candidate for President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2026-2027 term, with elections to be held on June 2, 2026, in New York.
Regarding relations with Spain, the Bangladeshi ambassador described them as “excellent and growing, extending well beyond trade. Our partnership reflects shared aspirations and a multilateral commitment to global issues of mutual interest. Spain is Bangladesh’s second-largest shipping destination within the EU, while Bangladesh is Spain’s fourth-largest trading partner in Asia. Spain is also home to one of the largest Bangladeshi communities in the EU.” This community, he noted, “makes valuable contributions to the Spanish economy through its heart, hard work, entrepreneurial skills, and legislative expertise, enriching the social fabric of our society. We are confident that the relationship between Bangladesh and Spain will continue to deepen and expand into many new and emerging areas in the days to come. The Embassy remains committed to working with the Spanish government, the trade community, and other partners to explore new opportunities and further strengthen our partnership for mutual benefit.”
