Saudi Arabia is anticipating a forthcoming visit from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at a mutually agreed-upon time and has shown readiness to collaborate with Bangladesh on opportunities aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. This message was conveyed by Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed A Elkhreiji during a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman at an OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Jeddah.
Elkhreiji extended an invitation for Khalilur to visit Riyadh, emphasizing the significant opportunities for Bangladesh within various sectors under Vision 2030. Khalilur highlighted the potential for Saudi investors to explore key opportunities in Bangladesh, with both sides committing to working together to maximize these prospects. Saudi Arabia is currently the largest labor market for Bangladesh, employing over two million Bangladeshi workers.
Elkhreiji also requested Bangladesh’s support for significant reforms to enhance the performance of the OIC Secretariat. On the sidelines of the OIC meeting focused on Palestine, Khalilur engaged in separate bilateral discussions with various foreign ministers, including those from Pakistan, Turkey, Palestine, and the Gambia.
These leaders congratulated Tarique on BNP’s electoral success and expressed confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to achieve political stability and drive development under his leadership. They commended Bangladesh for its steadfast support of the Palestinian cause and endorsed Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
During discussions with various leaders, mutual hopes for improved bilateral ties and cooperation in multiple sectors under the new government in Dhaka were expressed. The importance of addressing the Rohingya crisis was also underscored, with commitments made to work towards a prompt resolution. Invitations for future visits and events related to these matters were exchanged during the meetings.
The engagements were attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Mollah Farhad Hossain, and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the OIC MJH Jabed.