MM Rahmatullah: Bangladesh is set to strengthen its international economic partnerships as Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom expressed strong interest in deepening cooperation in strategic sectors, including ports, industry, trade, and investment.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafer H. bin Abiyah, met with Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at his office yesterday to discuss enhancing bilateral collaboration. The discussions focused on the development of seaports, modernization of the shipping sector, expansion of bilateral trade, and investment opportunities across various industrial domains.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s investment-friendly climate, Minister Muktadir emphasized the pivotal role of infrastructure in economic growth. He singled out the Matarbari Project as a strategic priority, underscoring its importance for maritime and economic ambitions. "The government is prioritizing the development of port infrastructure as a fundamental driver of national economic progress," he said.

Ambassador Dr. Abdullah Zafer praised the ongoing development initiatives and expressed optimism about future bilateral ties, noting Saudi Arabia’s keen interest in Bangladesh’s port and logistics sectors. Both officials acknowledged the strong friendship between the two nations and expressed confidence that cooperation would continue to expand.

The meeting included Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman and other senior officials from the Ministry of Industries, along with representatives from the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Dhaka.

In a separate development, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom agreed to reactivate their bilateral Trade and Investment Dialogue, aimed at consolidating economic ties and exploring new avenues for strategic cooperation. The agreement followed a high-level meeting between Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and UK Trade Envoy Baroness Rosie Winterton.

The dialogue will focus on strengthening trade relations, increasing investment flows, and fostering long-term economic development. Minister Muktadir highlighted government initiatives to modernize the economy, improve the investment climate, and facilitate global trade integration. Baroness Winterton praised Bangladesh’s reforms and emphasized the importance of diversifying the country’s exports beyond the traditional ready-made garments sector, highlighting processed foods, marine products, light engineering goods, and leather products as high-potential areas.

The UK also encouraged Bangladesh to utilize around £2 billion in export credit through UK Export Finance to stimulate investment in infrastructure and priority sectors. Both sides expressed optimism that the reactivated dialogue would foster a more robust and mutually beneficial partnership in the years ahead.

The meeting was attended by British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Export) Abdur Rahim Khan, and senior members of the UK delegation.