State Minister Shama Obaed Islam met a Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce delegation at the Foreign Ministry today. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, July 23, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today highlighted significant opportunities for expanding Bangladesh's trade, investment and skilled workforce cooperation with Saudi Arabia, with particular emphasis on technical and vocational skills development.

She made the remarks when a delegation of the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SABCCI) led by its President Ashraful Haq Chowdhury, paid a courtesy call on her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.

During the meeting, the delegation briefed the state minister on SABCCI's initiatives to enhance bilateral trade, investment and business cooperation between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

The initiatives include plans for trade promotion activities, international exhibitions and a Bangladesh-Saudi Investment Forum to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The delegation also sought the foreign ministry's support in facilitating coordination with relevant Saudi authorities to advance the initiatives.

Shama commended SABCCI's efforts and reaffirmed the ministry's continued support for strengthening Bangladesh-Saudi economic relations.

Highlighting the potential for greater skilled workforce cooperation, she particularly underscored the importance of technical and vocational skills development to help Bangladesh better respond to emerging employment opportunities in the Saudi market.

The state minister also stressed women's economic empowerment and the need to promote Bangladesh's creative industries, handicrafts and diversified jute products in Saudi Arabia to broaden the scope of bilateral commercial engagement.

The SABCCI delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working towards further advancing economic and business cooperation between the two countries.