Saudi Arabia looks beyond manpower, eyes investment in energy, IT, fisheries

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed strong interest in broadening its engagement with Bangladesh beyond the traditional manpower sector, with investment opportunities in fisheries, food, energy, renewable energy, information technology and artificial intelligence.

"The Saudi government is interested in investing in Bangladesh by utilising the expertise they have in various sectors like fisheries, food, energy and renewable energy, solar energy, information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said after a high-level meeting with a visiting Saudi delegation today (4 August) at State Guest House Padma, UNB reports.

"They have repeatedly said the same thing – they do not want to be in just one sector; they want to work with Bangladesh in many sectors," Shama Obaed told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She also said Saudi Arabia is interested in recruiting more skilled workers from Bangladesh, describing the issue as another important area of discussion.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, among others, were present at the meeting with the Saudi delegation led by Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom Eng Waleed Elkhereji.

According to UNB, the Saudi delegation included Adviser to the Saudi Interior Minister Lt Gen Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs Dr Mohammed Al-Shammari, Deputy Minister for Human Resources and Social Development Muhannad bin Ahmed Al-Issa, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah bin Abiyah, and senior officials from the Saudi Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior.

Shama Obaed said the Saudi side conveyed its confidence in Bangladesh's government following the country's democratic election and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties.

She said the discussions were "very successful and fruitful", with both sides focusing on expanding economic cooperation.

Shama expressed hope that a joint Bangladesh-Saudi investment meeting would be held soon, with participation from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and other stakeholders.

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

"This communication and exchange will continue," she said.

Describing the visit as highly productive, Shama said Saudi Arabia expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow stronger.

"They have also expressed their strong belief that Saudi-Bangladesh relations will be further improved under the leadership of the prime minister," she said.

The Saudi vice minister arrived in Dhaka on Monday night on a two-day visit.

PM seeks stronger strategic partnership, more investment

PM Tarique Rahman today said Bangladesh is keen to build a strategic, multidimensional and long-term partnership with Saudi Arabia and invited greater Saudi investment, especially in the growing solar power sector in the country.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Eng Waleed Elkhereji at his Secretariat office, said a release issued by the PM's Press Wing.

The Saudi vice minister said Bangladesh has created a favourable environment for investment under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, adding that Saudi Arabia is keen to strengthen bilateral relations further by expanding cooperation and investment in a number of promising sectors.

He also highlighted the significant contribution of Bangladeshi workers to Saudi Arabia's development.

Elkhereji congratulated Tarique on the election of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

At the meeting, the Bangladesh side said it attaches great importance to its relationship with Saudi Arabia and is committed to further strengthening bilateral ties through broader and more contemporary cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the Saudi vice minister invited PM Tarique to visit Saudi Arabia.

Tarique thanked him for the invitation and expressed hope of visiting the Kingdom at a mutually convenient time.

Saudi Arabia allows renewal of Iqama if sponsor fails

Saudi Arabia has announced a major policy change allowing Bangladeshi workers to renew their iqama (residency permit) under a new employer if their original sponsor (kafeel) fails to renew it, removing legal obstacles that previously left many workers vulnerable.

The announcement came during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh's Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and the visiting Saudi delegation.

During the meeting, Bangladesh proposed strengthening bilateral labour cooperation through the renewal and formal review of agreements on the recruitment of domestic workers, the Skills Verification Programme (SVP), and general worker recruitment.

The Bangladeshi side also called for convening meetings of the Joint Commission and the Joint Technical Committee at a mutually convenient time.

To improve the quality of migrant workers, Bangladesh proposed establishing a Saudi-Bangladesh Joint Technical Training Institute to provide vocational training, Arabic language instruction, pre-departure orientation, and education on Saudi laws, culture and customs.

Bangladesh further proposed developing a framework for the mutual recognition of technical, vocational and professional qualifications to facilitate the recruitment of skilled, highly skilled and professional workers in sectors such as healthcare, construction, information technology and hospitality.

The minister also requested Saudi authorities to ensure the timely issuance and renewal of work permits and iqamas for Bangladeshi workers and sought Saudi intervention to address delays caused by some employers citing increased work permit fees.

Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury highlighted the Arabic language proficiency of students from Bangladesh's Qawmi madrasas and urged Saudi authorities to consider creating employment opportunities for them after appropriate skills training.

State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare Md. Nurul Haque urged Saudi Arabia to recruit more skilled Bangladeshi workers to meet increased labour demand ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. He also stressed the need to ensure the rights and protection of Bangladeshi female domestic workers employed in the Kingdom.