Rabat: Bangladesh and Morocco have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, skills development, and multilateral affairs. The agreement was reached during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat, as confirmed by a Foreign Ministry's press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to strengthen political relations between the two countries. Shama Obaed highlighted Bangladesh's intent to elevate its partnership with Morocco under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aiming for shared prosperity and strategic opportunities. The historic visit of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Morocco in 1980 was also recalled, appreciating Morocco's gesture of naming an avenue in Rabat after him.
Both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to expand cooperation across various sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, sports, culture, agriculture, education, women's empowerment, and shipbuilding. They also agreed to enhance multilateral collaboration and hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka to review ongoing cooperation and identify new areas of mutual interest.
Additionally, Shama Obaed extended an invitation to Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. In a subsequent meeting with Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, the exchange of business delegations was proposed to boost commercial engagement. The Moroccan minister expressed interest in sending a business delegation to Bangladesh by the end of 2026.
The discussions also emphasized agricultural cooperation, with a call for stronger government-to-government collaboration to ensure a reliable phosphate supply chain for Bangladesh's agricultural development and food security. Bangladesh's interest in promoting eco-friendly jute and jute goods in Morocco was reiterated.
The two sides pledged deeper cooperation in innovation, industrial training, ICT, and artificial intelligence, while exploring prospects for a Free Trade Agreement to strengthen bilateral trade. On the same day, Shama Obaed met with Morocco's Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills Younes Sekkouri to explore opportunities in employment generation, vocational training, skills development, women and youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and SME growth.
The importance of closer collaboration through knowledge-sharing, technical exchanges, and institutional partnerships was stressed. Accompanying the state minister during the meetings were Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco Sadia Faizunnesa and Foreign Ministry Director General (Africa) Abdur Rouf Mondol. Shama Obaed is currently in Morocco to attend the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment, scheduled to be held in Rabat today.