Dhaka proposes roadmap to enhance ties with Saudi Arabia

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh has expressed its keenness to scale up the level of engagement in friendship and cooperation as well as proposed a time-bound roadmap to enhance relationship with Saudi Arabia.

These were stated at the first ever Political Consultations between the Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a city hotel on Wednesday.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud led their respected sides.

During the Consultations, both the sides took stock of the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest in regional and multilateral arena.

Among the issues that came up for review and discussion were increased bilateral trade and investment, recruitment of skilled manpower, Hajj management, education, health, environment and climate change, ICT and tourism.

Saudi Foreign Minister called for enhancing collaboration in trade and investment and stated that some Saudi companies have already invested in some sectors in Bangladesh and some other companies are considering greater engagement in various areas.

He sought policy and institutional support from the Bangladesh side.

The Saudi Foreign Minister also suggested that launching a joint business forum and exchange of business delegation between the two countries could augment bilateral trade and business.

Dr Momen identified six new areas of engagement for future collaboration including collaboration and partnership with Saudi Green Initiative undertaken by the Saudi Crown Prince in planting 10 billion trees in Saudi Arabia and 50 billion trees across the Middle East.

The other areas are Saudi investment in the Bangabandhu Industrial City in Chattogram; investment by leading Saudi companies in development of Tourism and Hotel industry and in the IT sector, Contract Farming in third countries for agro-production to attain food security and developing Skills Training Programme in Bangladesh at Saudi initiative.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the close alignment of positions in all major global issues regarding stability, security, primacy of state sovereignty and upholding the UN Charter and agreed to continue this collaboration in the future.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister sought cooperation from the Saudi side for sustainable repatriation and ensuring justice for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.

The Saudi Foreign Minister assured him of all support in the resolution of the Rohingya refugee crisis.

At the end of the consultations, both the leaders signed two instruments–Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters and a MoU on Cooperation between the Foreign Service Academies of the two countries.

The Saudi Foreign Minister left Dhaka today after wrapping up his two-day visit.

At the airport, the Saudi Minister was received and seen off by his Bangladesh counterpart. (BSS)