Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have taken decisive steps towards ensuring transparency in the export of Bangladeshi manpower to the Kingdom, aimed at curbing labour exploitation.
This development came during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, held in Riyadh on Monday.
In a press statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, it was disclosed that both nations discussed the formation of a dedicated taskforce to oversee the export process and prevent abuses by vested interests.
Additionally, Bangladesh sought special provisions for the registration of Bangladeshi expatriate businessmen in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting, attended by key officials including the PM’s adviser Salman F. Rahman and Bangladeshi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Md. Javed Patwari, also explored avenues for Saudi investment in Bangladesh’s special economic zones and offshore banking sectors.
Both sides underscored the importance of expediting bilateral activities through the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council. Discussions also touched upon opportunities for Bangladesh to import oil from Saudi Arabia, an issue of strategic importance. Expressing gratitude, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud thanked Saudi Arabia for employing approximately 3 million Bangladeshis and sought Saudi support in the Rohingya repatriation efforts. In response, the Saudi Foreign Minister affirmed his country’s commitment to assist Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
The meeting also addressed the recent conflict in Gaza, with both ministers condemning the violence and highlighting collective efforts within the Muslim world to address humanitarian concerns.
Looking ahead, both countries agreed to mark the upcoming golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations with joint celebrations next year. Furthermore, they decided to elevate the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia joint commission meeting to the ministerial level.
The discussions also touched upon the anticipated state visit of Saudi Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad Bin Faisal to Bangladesh, signalling a deepening of ties between the two nations.
The bilateral talks concluded on a positive note, setting a roadmap for enhanced cooperation across various sectors between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
