Poland and Bangladesh, two nations geographically distant yet interconnected by shared values and aspirations, have forged a diplomatic relationship that spans several decades. Despite the geographical separation, these two countries have found common ground and have built a partnership that holds significant promise for mutual growth and collaboration. The relationship can look forward a promising future as Donald Franciszek have been recently elected as the Prime Minister of Poland. He was congratulated by Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on his leadership who also emphasized the future possibilities of the close ties and friendship existing between the two countries through more robust engagements and shared prosperity.
The diplomatic ties between Poland and Bangladesh date back to the early 1970s when Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan. Poland was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh as a sovereign state. The country also supported Bangladeshs entry into the United Nations and membership into various international organizations as well as specialized agencies of the UN. Since then, the historical foundation of this friendship has been characterized by such respect, understanding, and support. During The pandemic, Poland donated over three million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine to Bangladesh.Even last year, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau declared Bangladesh as one of the most prospective partners of Poland in South Asia, hoping the relationship will keep serving the interests of both the countries. The new era of Poland under Franciszek seems to be the apt opportunity for these countries to take their 51 yearlongpartnershipto the next level.
First and foremost, Poland needs to reopen its embassy in Dhaka that was closed in 2001after the reorientation of Polish foreign policy at the end of the Cold War.The lack of a permanent office means, however, less visibility for Poland and difficulties for Bangladeshi citizens seeking Polish visas.For strengthening the diplomatic and bilateral, increasing cultural exchanges or even high-level visits, the countries should make this their priority. Bangladesh opening its embassy in Warsaw in 2015 has been a sign of that effort.
Opening of the polish embassy will also help streamline migration and job opportunities for the skilled workforce of Bangladesh in Poland. The country is going through an all-time high economic growth encompassed with lowest unemployment rate in decades but currently its suffering a shortage of workers across various sectors, including healthcare, physical labor, and the food and services industry. Here, Bangladeshs labour-force and expatriates can be a huge asset for the country. This will be a mutually beneficial scenario too as Bangladeshs economy is highly dependent on remittance from workers working outside the country.Polands potential Bangladeshi working diaspora will add to the projection of Bangladesh being the seventh highest recipient of remittance in the world.
Bangladesh-Poland trade relations also have much scope to explore. The LDC graduation might put Bangladesh in a more vulnerable position following a loss of duty-free benefits that it has in European Union. It is high time that the country diversified its export potential.AnEconomic Relations Division (ERD) report reveals that RMG, leather, pharmaceuticals, plastics, footwear, and shrimp have the potential to bag $18.34 billion more in exports, while their current earnings stand at $31.21 billion.Theres already a shortage of medicines in Poland-common in EU and Bangladesh can gain a lot by tapping this market. Poland is also the 10th largest footwear exporter in world and its insights can definitely contribute to Bangladeshs boom in footwear industry. The country can also increase its utilization of Bangladeshs huge dairy demand for its dairy exports. It will help Poland balance its trade partnership with the country as Bangladesh exported $2.94B dollars to Poland in 2021 where it was only $72.7M for Poland. The opportunity to improve the trade balance can be seen in the sale of equipment, technologies, and services for mining, energy, armaments, food processing, and environmental protection.
Bangladesh is an example of a country with rapid energy demand growth. Poland has previously shown interestin investing in mining, coal extraction and installation of liquefied natural gas terminal in Bangladesh as the European country has experience in the sectors. This will help Bangladesh to properly utilize its domestic energy sources along with enhancing its maritime economy. In the energy sector, another timely collaboration would be in the renewable energy sources as both countries face increasing impacts of climate change. The new Polish government which is supposed to be less conservative towards climate actions that the previous government, makes it more plausible.
The prospects of Poland-Bangladesh relations appear promising if both nations show commitment to further deepening their strategic partnership. Strengthening economic ties, expanding cultural exchanges, and collaborating on global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development should be at the forefront of their agenda. Their relationship will serve as a testament to the power of diplomacy in bridging gaps and building a world where nations can collaborate for the greater good.
Poland and Bangladesh, despite their geographical separation, exemplify the potential for mutual growth and prosperity through a steadfast commitment to shared values and aspirations.
The writer is a student, Peace and Conflict Studies (MSS), Dhaka University
