Bangladesh has requested oil-rich Saudi Arabia to take Bangladesh as a partner in its green initiative across the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia has taken a great green initiative for the whole of the Middle East,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters after a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday. He said the Saudi government is planning to plant 50 billion saplings across the Middle East - 10 billion in Saudi Arabia and 40 billion in other Middle East countries.  Read: Will work together to expand cooperation with Bangladesh, says Saudi FM “We’ve requested them for partnership with us. We want to give saplings and help grow those plants,” Momen said. Earlier, Saudi Arabia announced it goal to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, joining more than 100 countries in a global effort to try and curb man-made climate change. Prince Faisal left Dhaka for home on Wednesday afternoon ending his less than 24-hour official visit to Bangladesh.

Visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud on Wednesday said many Saudi companies are keen to make investment in the energy sector of Bangladesh, particularly in renewable energy. He said this during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban here. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. Read: Will work together to expand cooperation with Bangladesh, says Saudi FM The prime minister told the Saudi FM that her government is establishing 100 special economic zones across the country. She hoped that the Saudi investors would avail the opportunities prevailing in Bangladesh. "I welcome Saudi Arabia’s investment in Bangladesh," she was quoted as saying. Hasina expressed her satisfaction over the bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). "The bilateral cooperation has extended and consolidated in many areas that include economy, trade, commerce, investment, energy, education, culture and defence,” she said. The PM said Saudi Arabia has a special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. She conveyed her greetings to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Hasina also appreciated the custodian of the two holy mosques, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for his contribution to the Muslim Ummah. Read: Dhaka set to host first meeting of US-BD officials, post-sanctions The visiting minister described the bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as a ‘strong bond of friendship’ and said, "This will grow from strength to strength in the days to come." He said their priority is to enhance further economic cooperation exploring new areas. Prince Faisal hoped that Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia would work together on various global agenda. He said many Bangladeshi workers are contributing to the global economy. He commended the visionary leadership of Hasina and the commendable economic development of Bangladesh. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, PM’s Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM’s principal secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan were present at the meeting.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday said they are extremely optimistic about the future of Bangladesh and the two countries will work together to expand their cooperation. “I think there is a lot to be done,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel, noting that the two countries have a clear target to work together to that end. Momen led an eight-member Bangladesh delegation while the six-member Saudi delegation was led by its foreign minister at the first-ever "Political Consultations" between the two countries.  Responding to a question, the Saudi foreign minister said they are committed to a “stable” oil market and all indications say there is no concern regarding the oil supply. He said that they are “very optimistic” about the future of this relationship with Bangladesh. “We just had an excellent political consultation.” Most importantly, he said they explored how they can expand the partnership as the two countries enjoy a historic strong relationship. “We’re committed to building up on this strong foundation to a much broader partnership. We see significant interest in the Saudi companies’ presence here," he said. Among the issues that came up for review and discussion were increased bilateral trade and investment, recruitment of skilled manpower, Hajj management, education, health, environment and climate change, ICT and tourism, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Read:Bangladesh wants to be partner of Saudi's green initiative Prince Faisal stressed the need for enhancing collaboration in trade and investment and stated that several Saudi companies have already invested in some sectors in Bangladesh and  other companies are considering greater engagement in various areas.  He sought policy and institutional support from the Bangladesh side. The Saudi FM also suggested  launching a joint business forum and exchange of business delegation between the two countries to augment bilateral trade and business.  Momen said they are very proud to see this high level political consultation for the first time. He said some 20 Saudi companies have shown interest to invest in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has assured of providing required facilities in the economic zones, he said. Momen said they also discussed food security issues noting that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put a lot of emphasis on this. He said the Saudi side assured of hassle-free clearance of visas for 100 percent hajj applicants. The Saudi foreign minister arrived in Dhaka on a brief official visit on Tuesday evening.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud will arrive in Dhaka on a brief visit Tuesday afternoon. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen is scheduled to receive his Saudi counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 5pm on Tuesday. Minister Momen will host a dinner in honor of the Saudi Foreign Minister at a city hotel the same day. Read: Dhaka, Ankara eye Turkish president's visit this year In his less than 24-hour visit at the invitation of Momen, the Saudi Foreign Minister will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday, according to his programme schedule. Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are looking for stronger political and investment relations as Dhaka is ready to welcome the Saudi Foreign Minister. Foreign Minister Momen will hold a “tete-a-tete” with his Saudi counterpart at a city hotel on Wednesday morning which will be followed by bilateral “political consultation” between the two countries at the same venue, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. On Wednesday, the Saudi Foreign Minister and Dr Momen will join the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Arabic Language Institute after the political consultation between the two countries. Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will host lunch in honor of the Saudi Foreign Minister. The Saudi Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon wrapping up his visit that might see signing of a number of cooperation documents. Foreign Minister Dr Momen will see him off at the airport. Ahead of the visit, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan said the "dynamic partnership" and long-standing relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will further flourish and reach to a new height. Read: Valentina Tereshkova's 85th birth anniversary celebrated at Russian House in Dhaka The Saudi government says Bangladesh is a “remarkable country” and appreciates Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, noting that her capacity to make “swift decisions” is keeping the country's economy on track. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan, during a recent media briefing, shared Saudi investors’ desire to invest “extensively” in Bangladesh. Engineering Dimensions, a Saudi Arabian Enterprise, has confirmed $1.8 billion investment in Bangladeshi, said the envoy. Saudi Arabia is mulling establishing a special economic zone and considering scopes to invest in the construction of rail links connecting Dhaka and Payra port, including the development of Cox’s Bazar as an international tourist destination. The ambassador said Saudi ACWA Power has already announced to invest $ 600 million to build a 700 MW power plant and proposed a total $ 3.5 billion investment in Bangladesh. He said Saudi Red Sea Gateway Terminal wants to invest $ 1.2 billion in Bangladesh, said the envoy.