Play store
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to elevating bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, saying his government aims to build a strategic, multidimensional and long-term partnership with the Kingdom.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Eng. Waleed El-Khereiji at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.
During the meeting, El-Khereiji said Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has created a favourable environment for investment, expressing Saudi Arabia’s strong interest in further strengthening bilateral ties.
He reiterated the Kingdom’s willingness to expand cooperation and investment across a range of promising sectors.
The Saudi deputy foreign minister also praised the significant contributions of Bangladeshi workers to Saudi Arabia’s development and congratulated the prime minister on Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman’s election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In response, Prime Minister Rahman said Bangladesh-Saudi relations are built on mutual trust and longstanding friendship, adding that his government is working to broaden and deepen the partnership.
El-Khereiji said Saudi Arabia is interested in investing in Bangladesh’s processed food, seafood, tropical food, agro-based industries, information technology, artificial intelligence and renewable energy sectors.
The prime minister invited Saudi investors to expand their presence in Bangladesh, saying the country now offers a favourable investment climate.
He particularly encouraged Saudi investment in the solar power sector, noting that Bangladesh is implementing extensive programmes to increase the use of clean energy and that such investments would be mutually beneficial.
At the end of the meeting, the Saudi deputy foreign minister invited Prime Minister Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia. Thanking him for the invitation, the prime minister expressed hope that he would visit the Kingdom at a mutually convenient time.
The Saudi delegation included Lt Gen Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, Adviser to the Saudi Interior Minister; Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs Dr Mohammed Al-Shammari; Deputy Minister for Human Resources and Social Development Muhannad bin Ahmed Al-Issa; Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah bin Abiyah; and senior officials from the Saudi Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior.
The Bangladeshi side was represented by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed, and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.
