Editorial, News & commercial office:
55/A, H M Siddique Mansion (Level-7), Purana Paltan, Motijhel C/A, Dhaka-1000. Phone: +8802226640056,
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in expanding investment in Bangladesh across multiple sectors while recruiting more skilled Bangladeshi workers, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said following talks with a visiting Saudi delegation.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Saudi Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed Abdul Karim El-Khereiji at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Tuesday, Shama said the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperation.
"We had a very successful and productive discussion. The purpose of this visit was to take Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations to a new level," she said.
According to the state minister, Saudi Arabia is interested in investing in sectors where it has significant expertise, including fisheries, food processing, energy, renewable energy, solar power, information technology and artificial intelligence.
Labour migration was also a key topic during the meeting. Shama said Saudi Arabia is keen to recruit a larger number of skilled workers from Bangladesh, reflecting growing cooperation in the employment sector.
She added that Bangladesh expects to organize a joint investment forum in Saudi Arabia in the near future, with senior officials from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) expected to participate.
The two sides also discussed holding a Bangladesh-Saudi political consultation meeting and a Joint Working Group meeting later this year to advance bilateral cooperation.
On high-level exchanges, Shama said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has invited Prime Minister Tariq Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia, while Bangladesh has extended an invitation to the Crown Prince to visit Dhaka.
Responding to a question on passport-related issues involving Rohingyas residing in Saudi Arabia, she said the matter was not a major focus of the talks but is being addressed through Bangladesh's missions in Jeddah and Riyadh.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/national/1f190240-1529-6dd0-9693-c1b6f376e567