Saudi Arabia wants to be a part of Bangladesh’s development, says crown prince Salman

Saudi Arabia wants to be a part of Bangladesh’s development, Bangladesh’s foreign secretary said.

Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has showed his keen interest in the country during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday evening local time, Md Shahidul Haque told reporters while boarding a flight to Jeddah from Medina on Thursday.

Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz is also the deputy prime minister and defence minister of Saudi Arabia.

Mohammad said at the meeting that he knew about Bangladesh and a lot of what was happening there.

“I want to be a part of Bangladesh development,” said the foreign secretary, quoting the Saudi prince.

A Saudi delegation will soon visit Bangladesh to look for business opportunities.

“A decision will be made as to what sector to invest in in Bangladesh based on the opinions of the experts,” Haque said, citing the prince.  

The Saudi prince emphasised extending cooperation to Bangladesh on defence, trade and investment.

“We hope for a large investment from Saudi Arabia,” said the foreign secretary.

The prime minister had invited Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz to visit Bangladesh and he accepted the invitation, Haque said.

Hasina underscored the need for unity among the OIC countries to end disputes among the members of the block at the meeting.

“We also want everyone to be at peace,” said Mohammed in reaction to her remarks, said Haque.

Seeking to highlight vibrant atmosphere of the meeting, he said, “When the prime minister referred to the six visits she has made to Saudi since 2009, the prince joked, ‘You are half Saudi’.”

Hasina had previously met with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud at the palace in Riyadh.

Prime Miniser Hasina arrived in Sadui Arabia on Tuesday for a four-day visit. The countries are expected to sign two MoUs on security and information and communication technology.

The prime minister is expected to return to Bangladesh on Friday after performing the Umrah to Mecca.