Accra:State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humaiun Kobir, highlighted Bangladesh's positive consideration of the Makkah Defence Agreement, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East and the Muslim world. Speaking at a seminar at the Foreign Service Academy, Kobir noted that maintaining peace in the region, particularly in areas such as Makkah and Madinah, is a central goal.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Kobir mentioned that Bangladesh's decision on the agreement will be guided by national interests and the potential to leverage its peacekeeping expertise for regional stability. He also emphasized that the evolving Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relationship should focus on value creation rather than just volume.
Kobir announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has accepted an invitation from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince to visit the Kingdom, with the visit expected soon. He also mentioned that the Crown Prince expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh, which would be welcomed at a convenient time.
The seminar, organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Center for Migration Studies of North South University (NSU), was titled 'From Workforce to Strategic Partnership Reimagining Bangladesh-KSA Relations.' Kobir called for a comprehensive economic and strategic partnership, advocating for relations that extend beyond traditional labour migration and remittances.
He identified several sectors for potential Saudi investment, including renewable energy, infrastructure, ports, logistics, agriculture, and technology. Kobir also stressed the importance of a predictable business environment and improved institutional coordination to attract such investments.
Discussing the labour market, he urged for stronger cooperation among training institutions to align skills certification with Saudi market needs, ensuring the welfare and rights of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia remain a priority. He also highlighted opportunities for partnerships in technology and logistics.
Kobir concluded by underlining the importance of regular high-level exchanges to strengthen bilateral engagement and the need to diversify employment opportunities by sending more highly skilled professionals to Saudi Arabia. He expressed optimism about the emerging opportunities from ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia, emphasizing a shift towards equal partnership and sustainable policies between the two nations.