Saudi keen to invest in BD

Diplomatic Correspondent :
Saudi Arabia shows its keen interest to expand the investment in various areas of Bangladesh in the upcoming days.
Articulating the brotherly relations between the two countries, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday said Saudi companies have significant interest to invest here.
“We see significant interest from the Saudi companies. We are working together with our partners to expand the cooperation and explore the potentials that exist between our two countries. The Saudi companies
are present here with several billion dollars of direct investment,” he added.
Hailing from first ever political consultation with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel, the Saudi foreign minister said, “We are committed to build a strong foundation and broader partnership with Bangladesh.”
“We are extremely optimistic about the future of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. We have clear agenda and targets to work together. We want to work together to boost security and multidimensional relationships,” he added.
“We are fully aligned in our vision in future. We are working together to contribute to bring stability in our respective region and also in the global community in the multilateral system,” he opined.
He also appreciated the contribution of 2.5 million Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia for its development in various fields.
Asked about the oil supply concern, the Saudi FM said, there is no concern about the supply chain and his country will take necessary measures to stabilize the oil prices in the global market.
Meanwhile, AK Abdul Momen told the journalist that they had talked on an array of issues and expressed Bangladesh’s desire to be partners in a number of fields.
“Saudi Arabia has taken great initiatives for making Middle East green. They are planning to plant 50 billion trees – 10 billion in Saudi Arabia and 50 billion in other countries in Middle East. We have requested them to include us to be a partner there. We want to supply and look after the trees,” he said.
About the investment, Bangladesh Foreign Minister also said, “Some 20 Saudi companies have shown interest to invest here. We are working on it. Hopefully those will be materialised soon.”
 “If the firms from Saudi Arabia want to invest in our economic zone, we would give all facilities to them,” he added.
About hassle-free Hajj, Momen said, “the Saudi government has assured of ensuring 100 percent visa clearance from here in Bangladesh so that the Hajis don’t face any troubles during their pilgrimage.”
About student scholarship, he said, “Last year Saudi Arabia granted 265 scholarships, but only 80 students went there. We need to work here. We have also invited their students to study in Bangladesh.”
In addition, the two brotherly countries signed a memorandum of understanding between the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy and the Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal Institute.
Prior to the consultation meeting, the Saudi Foreign Minister called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganobhaban where they exchanged view on bilateral relations and recent developments in regional and global arena.
The foreign minister wrapped up his brief visit and left Dhaka in the afternoon on Wednesday.