KSA plans multisectoral investment in BD

Saudi Arabia has expressed strong interest in expanding its engagement with Bangladesh beyond the traditional manpower sector, focusing on investment in fisheries, food, energy, renewable energy, information technology and artificial intelligence.

The interest was conveyed during a meeting between Saudi Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdul Karim Elkhereji and Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and other senior officials attended the meeting. The Saudi delegation included two deputy ministers.

Briefing reporters after the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed said Saudi Arabia was keen to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh across multiple sectors.

"Saudi Arabia do not want to be in just one sector (manpower), they want to work with Bangladesh in many sectors. They have repeatedly said the same thing in the meeting," she said.

She said the Saudi government was interested in investing in Bangladesh by using its expertise in fisheries, food, energy, renewable energy, solar energy, information technology and artificial intelligence.

Describing the discussions as "very successful and fruitful", Shama Obaed said both sides focused on expanding economic cooperation. She added that Saudi Arabia had also expressed interest in recruiting more skilled workers from Bangladesh.

She said the Saudi side conveyed its confidence in Bangladesh's government following the country's democratic election and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening bilateral relations.

Shama Obaed expressed hope that a joint Bangladesh-Saudi investment meeting involving the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and other stakeholders would be held soon.

She also announced that political consultations and a Joint Working Group meeting between the two countries are expected to be held in Bangladesh later this year.