Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday sought Saudi Arabia’s support for meeting the needs of energy and oil following the political instability in parts of Europe due to the Russia, Ukraine war.
He made the request when Saudi Ambassador in Dhaka Essa Yousef EssaAlduhailan paid a courtesy call on him at his office.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on issues of mutual interests pertaining to bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Reflecting on the current political instability in parts of Europe, the foreign ministry in a statement said, “Foreign Minister urged the Envoy to explore possible cooperation from Saudi Arabia in meeting Bangladesh’s domestic energy and oil needs and take up the issue of considering crude/refined oil from Aramco on a deferred payment basis.”
“The Saudi Envoy assured to take up the proposal with the appropriate authorities in the Kingdom. He also conveyed KSA’s readiness to facilitate Bangladesh’s proposal to set up a fertilizer industry in Saudi Arabia,” read the statement.
The Ambassador handed over a letter to the Minister from Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al- Saud inviting the Foreign Minister to undertake an official visit to Saudi Arabia to review and expedite ongoing mutual collaboration.
The Foreign Minister appreciated and accepted the invitation, thanked the Ambassador and remarked that the visit schedule would be fixed through diplomatic channels.
During the meeting, they discussed and reviewed various bilateral issues and expressed satisfaction at the state of relations flourishing rapidly in many fields including political, economic, trade and investment, security and defense, manpower and other areas.
On the prospect of further employment in the Saudi Arabia with reference to Neom city, the Foreign Minister conveyed Bangladesh’s readiness in providing skilled workers and technicians in different trades and also indicated readiness of the government to assign dedicated university or training institute to train manpower in specialised trades to cater to the needs of Saudi Arabia.
Noting progress of the Saudi investment in the renewable energy sector, Foreign Minister urged the Envoy to explore the possibility of prospective financing in the Eastern Refinery Unit-2 from Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
Reaffirming support to Saudi Arabia in the multilateral fora, Foreign Minister recalled Bangladesh’s support to Saudi Arabia in hosting the Expo-2030 in Riyadh.
The Saudi Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Minister for his continuous support and guidance in taking forward the bilateral engagements to new heights and continued support in the multilateral fora.
The Foreign Minister commended the envoy for his “dynamic role in promoting the bilateral relationship”. The Envoy expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Minister for all support and cooperation.
