BANGLADESH on Thursday signed two agreements and four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Saudi Arabia. Signed at Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the accords were on generation of electricity and solar power. The top level visiting Saudi delegation, comprising of government officials and business tycoons, has said they want to usher a new chapter of relationship with Bangladesh during their visit. In fact, the visit of Saudi delegation is being viewed as a major boost for Dhaka-Riyadh bilateral relationship.
Saudi Arabian Commerce and Investment Minister Dr Majed Bin Abdullah Al Qasabi has said the relationship between Dhaka and Riyadh has begun a “new chapter” through Saudi Arabia’s presence in Bangladesh, to find wider investment opportunities. He further said, “My country is serious about enhancing business ties with Bangladesh. We are here to support; we are here to work, identify possibilities, and open the doors for dialogue between the two countries.”
We do congratulate the Saudi Kingdom for the new investment in Bangladesh.
The latest investment is a part of Saudi foreign policy when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, is looking to boost ties with Asian allies. He has already visited India following a high-profile trip to Pakistan along with signing investment agreements worth about US$ 20 billion.
The warm relation between Dhaka and Riyadh is nothing new. Over 2.5 million Bangladeshis are now engaged in different jobs in Saudi Arabia. Besides, every year about 1.25 lakh pilgrims go there to perform Hajj. We expect, the Saudi authorities would take all initiatives to make comfortable of Bangladeshi migrants’ life, including for female workers.
