He discussed the issue during a bilateral meeting with his Saudi counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir at the latter’s Office in Riyadh on Sunday.

Saudi State Minister Adel Jubeir replied in positive stressing on potential Saudi investors to invest in a vibrant economy like Bangladesh and hoped they will soon sort out the MoU issue regarding PPP.

The Bangladesh State Minister stressed on regular Business to Business dialogue to explore bilateral trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

On a proposal from the Bangladesh State Minister for joint venture in contract farming in suitable African countries where Bangladesh can provide its expertise in agriculture and manpower, Saudi State Minister welcomed the proposal.

Shahriar Alam expressed his government’s gratitude to the Saudi King and Crown Prince for allowing all the foreign residents irrespective of their legal status for access to free COVID treatment and inoculation, which has saved many lives of expatriates including Bangladesh community living in the Kingdom.

Also read: MoFA marks historic March 7, pays tribute to Bangabandhu

In reply to a request, State Minister Jubeir assured of considering an interim arrangement for the irregular Bangladesh expatriates to have access health facilities and employment.

State Minister Alam also requested to reappoint a cultural attache at the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka, so the service seekers’ would not need to send their documents to New Delhi for attestation and Saudi side took note of that.

Both the State Ministers agreed to expedite the pending Agreements and MoUs and to hold first Foreign Office Consultation where the whole gamut of bilateral relationship could be discussed.

Also read: MoFA releases video marking Bangabandhu's historic March 7 Speech

Saudi State Minister congratulated Bangladesh on its 50th anniversary of independence.

He highly praised the remarkable sustained economic growth of Bangladesh carried out in last one decade under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Saudi State Minister continued, the recent UN decision to graduate Bangladesh from LDC category to the middle-income one is a testimony of this success.

He fondly remembered the historic ties between this two countries and the valued contribution of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to its independence and laying foundation of Golden Bengal.

State Minister Shahriar Alam mentioned that under the visionary leaderships of both the countries, the relations have elevated to a strategic level. For advancing from this point, he emphasized on exploring further avenues of cooperation on international issues based on common interest and goals and economic ties.

Alam reiterated Bangladesh government’s unwavering support to the Saudi side and expressed solidarity condemning the recent cowardly attacks Houthis.

Also read: Historic 7th March: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu

Adel Al-Jubeir appreciated Bangladesh’s position on Yemen issue.

State Minister Shahriar Alam placed a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and attended a webinar to mark the historic 7th March.

He attended another international webinar on ‘Historic 7th March speech by Bangabandhu focusing on historical and political perspective’.

Shahriar Alam is in the Kingdom in his 3-day official visit there.

The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere followed by a lunch and walking tour in the Foreign Office building.

State Minister Alam would be meeting the OIC Secretary-General today at his office in Jeddah to discuss concern issues.