Saudi-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission which concluded in Riyadh on Thursday, agreed to enhance cooperation to achieve the targets of the Vision 2021 of Bangladesh and the Vision 2030 of KSA.

Saudi delegation was led by Abdul Aziz Al-Amr, undersecretary of International Labour Affairs of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, KSA while the Bangladesh delegation was led by Kazi Shofiqul Azam, secretary of Economic Relations Division at Ministry of Finance.

Bangladesh Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Nomita Halder and Bangladesh Ambassador to KSA Golam Moshi along with other officials of embassy were also present during the session.

“Both parties agreed on the importance of diversification of trade and agreed to encourage organizing exhibitions and business forums.” Ambassador Moshi told Al-Bilad on Sunday. He added that the two countries also agreed to boost bilateral relations in the areas Trade, Commerce, Investment, Human Resources development, education, religious affairs and ICT. Bangladesh made special request to Saudi Arabia to invest in Hi-Tech park.

Bangladesh encouraged the Kingdom for a joint venture in the fields of manufacturing factories such as paper factory, cement plant, power projects, solar power and textile industry.

The Bangladesh team said it could export Halal meat products, fresh fish and shrimps to KSA.

Saudi Arabia also requested information from the Bangladesh to culture white shrimps and the possibility of culturing tiger prawns in the salty sea waters of the Red Sea.

The two sides agreed on the importance of diversification of trade and agreed to encourage organizing exhibitions and business forums.

Bangladesh proposed to invest in the production of premium quality rice in Bangladesh through contract farmers and start to initiate project for rice production.

The two sides discussed the possibility of exchange of experts, visits and transfer of technology in the field of agriculture, fish and shrimp in the red sea coast area.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the request from the Bangladesh to open Bangladeshi Bank in the Kingdom.

The possibility of supporting and encouraging the Saudi-Bangladesh Joint venture in the field of construction between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia was also discussed in the meeting.

In the field of higher education, both sides encouraged to sign a MoU for cooperation in education and research, exchange of faculty members between the universities of two countries.

The Saudi and Bangladesh sides have agreed to conclude an MoU for cooperation and exchange of news between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Bangladesh Sangbad Shangstha (BBS).

SOURCE : ALBILAD