The 14th meeting of the Joint Commission between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia was held

The 14th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two-day meeting of the Joint Commission was held on October 30-31 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Riyadh’s Digital City.

Sharifa Khan, Secretary of the Economic Relations Department, led the Bangladesh delegation in the meeting. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development led the Saudi side. Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Muhammad Abu Nain.

The meeting agreed to form a task force to enhance energy cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. It was decided to hold regular meetings of the Task Force on cooperation in the energy sector at convenient times of the two countries. Besides, Saudi Arabia assured cooperation if Bangladesh requested Saudi Arabia for commercial LNG supply and Saudi investment in Eastern Refinery Unit 2 project on an urgent basis. In the meeting, discussions were held regarding the construction of 1000 MW solar power and 730 MW gas power plant in Bangladesh by Saudi Aqua Power.

In the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Shipping of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Communications of Saudi Arabia to increase mutual cooperation in all possible fields including recruitment, training and other naval professionals of the two countries. Ambassador of Bangladesh appointed to Saudi Arabia on behalf of Bangladesh. Mohammad Javed Patwari, BPM (Bar) signed the MoU. Deputy of Maritime Transport Abdul Rahman M Al Thunayen signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of Saudi Arabia.

In the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed between FBCCI, Bangladesh and the Federation of Saudi Chambers and Commerce to form a Joint Business Council to increase trade. The MoU was signed by FBCCI Vice President Habib Ullah Don on behalf of Bangladesh. On behalf of the Saudi Chamber, Vice Chairman Engineer Tariq Al Haidari signed the MoU.

An agreement was reached between the Department of Health Education and Family Welfare of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to sign an expedited agreement for the implementation of an ‘Executive Program’ for the recruitment of professionals from Bangladesh in the health sector in Saudi Arabia. Apart from this, consensus was reached on the signing of another memorandum of understanding with the aim of increasing effective bilateral support in all fields of science and education between the education ministries of the two countries.

The meeting of the Joint Economic Commission emphasized on interest-related discussions and enhancement of mutual cooperation between the two countries on bilateral trade, investment, education, health, ICT, agriculture, environment, religious values, etc. A joint minutes was signed at the end of the meeting.

A delegation of 8 members from various ministries of Bangladesh participated in the meeting of the Joint Economic Commission. Besides, the officials of Bangladesh Embassy and Jeddah Consulate joined it.

In the inaugural meeting of the Joint Economic Commission yesterday, Secretary of the Economic Relations Department Sharifa Khan said that Saudi Arabia is a true brotherly and friendly country of Bangladesh. He said, the Joint Commission is an important forum for periodic review of our bilateral relations. It gives us an opportunity to explore areas of cooperation, identify new possibilities for cooperation and reach a consensus to achieve our joint goals. He thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Prime Minister Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on behalf of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Secretary Sharifa Khan expressed hope that Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit Bangladesh next year, which will play a unique role in increasing the relationship between the two countries.

Apart from this, Secretary of Economic Relations Department Sharifa Khan met with the Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Sultan Abdul Rahman Al Marshed today. Meanwhile, the secretary requested SFD to increase Saudi cooperation in various sectors of Bangladesh.

The next meeting of the joint commission will be held in Dhaka.