Shama Obaed Islam inaugurating Bangladesh-Morocco B2B Meeting Platform in Rabat. This photo is collected from the Facebook of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh

DHAKA, May 20, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Morocco have launched their first-
ever bilateral business-to-business (B2B) platform in Rabat, aiming to boost 
trade, investment and green industrial cooperation between South Asia and 
Africa.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam formally inaugurated the 
platform on Tuesday during her two-day official visit to Morocco, describing 
the initiative as a new corridor for commerce, innovation and sustainable 
growth, said a foreign ministry's press release here today. 

"The platform is established to catalyse high-value, innovation-driven and 
people-centred partnerships, not trade for trade's sake, but trade that 
builds industries, creates jobs, accelerates technology transfer and drives 
sustainable growth on both sides," Shama said in her inaugural remarks.

Highlighting Bangladesh's strategic position between South and Southeast 
Asia, the state minister said Bangladesh has emerged as the world's second-
largest garment exporter, a pharmaceutical supplier to over 150 countries and 
a growing hub for ICT, leather, ceramics, light engineering and food 
processing industries.

She also conveyed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's invitation to Moroccan 
businesses to consider Bangladesh as a key investment destination.

Promotion of Bangladesh's jute and jute-based products emerged as one of the 
key priorities of the newly launched platform.

Shama said Bangladesh's modernised jute industry, which produces 
biodegradable and carbon-absorbing products increasingly used in automotive 
and fashion industries, aligns closely with Morocco's expanding industrial 
sector.

"As African countries increasingly move to restrict single-use plastics, 
demand for biodegradable alternatives made from jute is expected to rise 
significantly, positioning Bangladesh as a major supplier," she added.

An exhibition showcasing Bangladeshi jute products was also organised at the 
chamber premises and jointly inaugurated by the state minister and Hassan 
Sakhi, president of the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce.

The B2B event, organised by the Bangladesh Embassy in Rabat in collaboration 
with the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services, brought 
together around 30 leading Moroccan business leaders and a seven-member 
Bangladeshi business delegation.

Officials said a high-level Moroccan business delegation is expected to visit 
Bangladesh in November 2026 to explore economic zones, industrial hubs and 
innovation centres, paving the way for future investment partnerships and 
joint ventures.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco Sadia Faizunnesa also addressed the event.

Among others, Director General of the Department of Jute Syed Md. Nurul 
Basir, Director General (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdur 
Rouf Mondol and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Sahela Akter 
were present.

Later, the state minister delivered a lecture titled "Bangladesh Foreign 
Policy: Focus on Africa" at the Moroccan Institute for Training, Research and 
Diplomatic Studies in Rabat.

She highlighted the government's "Bangladesh First" foreign policy, 
describing it as forward-looking, value-driven and people-centric, aimed at 
protecting national interests while promoting constructive global engagement.

The session was attended by diplomats, retired ambassadors, trainee 
diplomats, academics and foreign policy experts.