State Minister Shama Obaid to Visit Spain and the United Kingdom, Will Open Bangladesh Expo in Seville

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam will pay official visits to Spain and the United Kingdom from October 26 to 30. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the tour in a press release on Sunday (October 25).

The ministry said the visit is significant because deepening economic partnership and putting cultural diplomacy to work are among the main foundations of Bangladesh's foreign policy. During the tour of the two countries, she will meet senior officials of various offices.

The meetings will discuss ways to expand mutual cooperation in trade, investment, business, tourism, skills development and cultural exchange, the release said.

At the start of the tour, on October 26, the state minister will inaugurate the 'Third Spain-Bangladesh Expo 2026' in the Spanish city of Seville. The expo, held under the theme 'Stronger Partnership, Shared Prosperity', is being organised by the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The main goal of the expo is to connect Bangladeshi exporters directly with Spanish producers, importers and investors. It is expected to create fresh exposure and contacts for Bangladeshi products and businesses in the Spanish market.

After completing the Spain leg, State Minister Shama Obaid Islam will visit the United Kingdom on October 29 and 30. In other words, the two legs of a single itinerary give importance to two different sides of Bangladesh's relations with the two European countries — the economy and culture.

In the United Kingdom, the centre of her programme will be promoting Bangladeshi art and culture, widening the scope of international cultural partnership, and exploring opportunities to develop Bangladesh's creative economy.

According to the foreign ministry, these visits reflect Bangladesh's commitment to strengthening economic diplomacy with its European partners, attracting investment and expanding cultural cooperation.

With tourism and skills development on the agenda alongside trade and investment, the tour suggests Bangladesh wants to widen cooperation with its European partners not only in goods exports but also in services and human resources.

Business and diplomatic circles will be watching what concrete outcomes emerge from the state minister's meetings and the expo inauguration at the end of the five-day tour.