PM offers land to KSA in economic zones

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia land in the special economic zones while the oil-rich middle-eastern country has expressed its keenness to make investment in the Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector.

“Bangladesh will welcome the Saudi Arabia’s investment in Bangladesh. They can choose land for investment in the special economic zones,” she said while Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan paid a courtesy call on her at parliament on Wednesday.

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed newsmen after the call on.

The Prime Minister also extended support to Saudi Arabia in holding the Expo-2030 as the envoy sought Bangladesh’s support to their candidacy to this end.

Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for unity among the Muslim countries and solving their existing problems through discussions. “Don’t invite the third party or country outside the Muslim nations to solve the problems among the Muslim countries,” she said.

The Saudi Arabian envoy on behalf of their King handed over a Ghilaf (Kiswah) weighing 10 kilograms and made of gold and silver inscribed with verses from the holy Quran.

“The Honourable Prime Minister is the first head of government of Bangladesh who received such kind of Ghilaf from the Saudi Arabian King,” PM’s Press Secretary said.

The Prime Minister conveyed her sincere greetings to the Saudi Arabia’s King for the gift, saying that the Saudi Arabia has a special place in the hearts of Bangladeshi people.

Sheikh Hasina greeted Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the custodian of the two holy mosques and his contribution to the Muslim Ummah.

During the talks, the envoy said, “The Saudi Arabian businessmen are interested to invest in the renewable energy sector in Bangladesh.”

He said that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia would further be enhanced through multi-sectoral cooperation in the development of tourism, culture, trade and commerce.

“Exchange of visits of the officials between the two countries will help strengthening bilateral ties,” the envoy said.

Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus was present.