Prince Salman invites PM to Riyadh
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia as Dhaka and Riyadh seek to deepen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, energy and manpower.
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah handed over the invitation letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat on Monday.
The invitation was conveyed as the two sides look to expand their longstanding relationship beyond its traditional foundations of religious and people-to-people ties.
“Saudi Arabia is pleased to invite the Bangladesh Prime Minister to visit the Kingdom to discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties and consult on regional and international issues,” the Saudi envoy said, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.
The proposed visit would provide an opportunity for the two countries to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations as well as exchange views on major regional and international developments.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s most important economic and diplomatic partners, with cooperation spanning manpower, remittances, trade, investment, energy and religious affairs.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and PM’s Foreign Adviser Humaiun Kobir, among others, were also present.
Earlier this month, Riyadh expressed interest in investing in several sectors of Bangladesh and recruiting more skilled Bangladeshi workers, indicating a growing focus on economic cooperation.
Saudi Arabia is also the largest destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, with a large Bangladeshi community contributing significantly to the country’s remittance earnings.
The Kingdom is also a key destination for Bangladeshi pilgrims performing Hajj.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975, following Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Bangladesh.
Since then, relations have steadily expanded from cooperation centred on Hajj, religious exchanges and manpower to broader economic and diplomatic engagement.
For Dhaka, closer ties with Riyadh are particularly significant amid efforts to diversify investment, expand overseas employment opportunities and strengthen economic diplomacy.
The invitation also comes at a time when Bangladesh is seeking stronger engagement with major Middle Eastern partners on economic, labour and regional issues.
