Rabat: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has expressed Bangladesh’s keen interest in strengthening its relations with African nations, with a particular focus on elevating its partnership with Morocco. The aim is to foster cooperation, shared prosperity, and strategic opportunities. She articulated these ambitions during a meeting with Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates in Rabat.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the meeting underscored the significance of sustained high-level exchanges to advance political relations between the two countries. State Minister Shama Obaed is on an official visit to Morocco to attend the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment, scheduled for May 20, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the discussions, Shama Obaed fondly recalled the historic visit of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Morocco in 1980. She expressed her appreciation for Morocco’s gracious gesture of naming an avenue in Rabat after him. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-Morocco ties across various sectors, including trade and investment, textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, sports, culture, agriculture, education, and more. They emphasized the importance of stronger multilateral collaboration.
The leaders agreed to organize the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka at the earliest opportunity to evaluate ongoing cooperation and explore new areas of mutual interest. The State Minister also extended an invitation to the Moroccan Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
In another bilateral meeting with Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, the State Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s improved investment landscape and proposed the exchange of business delegations to enhance commercial interaction. The Moroccan Industry Minister responded by expressing his intention to send a business delegation to Bangladesh by the end of 2026.
Commending the existing partnership in the agricultural sector, Shama Obaed emphasized the need to strengthen government-to-government cooperation to ensure a more reliable supply chain of phosphate exports, essential for Bangladesh’s agricultural development and food security. She reiterated Bangladesh’s readiness to collaborate with Morocco in promoting eco-friendly jute and jute goods in the Moroccan market.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in innovation, industrial training, ICT, and artificial intelligence. They also discussed the prospect of a Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen bilateral trade relations.
On the same day, the State Minister met Younes Sekkouri, Morocco’s Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills. She briefed him on the new government’s social protection initiatives, including the ‘Family Card’ and ‘Farmers’ Card’ programs, as well as development efforts such as canal re-excavation projects.
The discussions explored opportunities to expand collaboration in employment generation, vocational training, skills development, women and youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and the growth of small and medium enterprises. Both parties stressed the importance of closer cooperation through knowledge-sharing, technical exchanges, and institutional partnerships.
Sadia Faizunnesa, Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco, and Abdur Rouf Mondol, Director General (Africa) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accompanied the State Minister during these meetings.