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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hosted Saudi Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Eng Waleed El-Khereiji at the Prime Minister’s Office on August 4, 2026 where he proposed transforming bilateral relations into a strategic, multidimensional and long-term partnership. According to The Daily Star, Rahman stated that Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations are built on mutual trust and decades of friendship, and the government wants to take them to a new level. He invited Saudi investors to expand in renewable energy including solar power. El-Khereiji replied that Saudi Arabia views Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination and expressed interest in cooperation across processed food, seafood, agro-industries, information technology, artificial intelligence and renewable energy.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman held separate talks with the Saudi vice minister at State Guest House Padma the same day and proposed upgrading relations into a comprehensive partnership spanning political, economic, security and people-to-people cooperation. The Daily Star reported that the two sides reviewed developments in the Middle East with Bangladesh expressing support for Saudi efforts to promote regional stability. Khalilur Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s participation in the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition and reaffirmed commitment to freedom of navigation. Saudi Arabia showed interest in investing in ports, infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
The delegations agreed to convene the Third Foreign Office Consultations and the 15th Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission Meeting in Dhaka in the near future. Bangladesh requested continued Saudi humanitarian and political support for more than one million Rohingya refugees sheltering in Cox’s Bazar along with assistance for their safe repatriation to Myanmar. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam briefed reporters afterward that Saudi Arabia had indicated its engagement with Bangladesh should extend beyond manpower cooperation.
Approximately three million Bangladeshis work in Saudi Arabia and form a central element of the bilateral relationship, The Daily Star reported citing official figures. Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury met with Saudi Deputy Minister for Human Resources Muhannad bin Ahmed Al-Essa and Deputy Minister for Foreign Consular Affairs Dr Mohammad AM Alshammeri to discuss labour matters. The Saudi side announced a policy change allowing foreign workers to renew residency permits with a new employer if the original sponsor fails to act. Dhaka sought renewal of two existing labour agreements covering domestic workers and the Skill Verification Programme.
Bangladesh proposed establishment of a Joint Technical Training Centre to deliver skills development, Arabic language instruction, cultural orientation and pre-departure preparation for workers. The two sides discussed mutual recognition of technical and professional qualifications to ease recruitment of skilled personnel in healthcare, construction, information technology and hospitality. Ariful Haque Chowdhury urged timely issuance of visas and Iqamas while requesting support to resolve delays linked to higher work permit fees charged by some employers. Deputy Minister Al-Essa indicated Saudi Arabia’s interest in recruiting additional skilled professionals from Bangladesh ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1975 with labour migration and religious ties serving as enduring foundations ever since, according to longstanding bilateral records. Earlier initiatives have included allocation of land for a Saudi-focused special economic zone in Chittagong as part of efforts to boost investment flows. The recent meetings build on that trajectory by addressing both immediate labour concerns and longer-term strategic alignment across multiple sectors.
