PM Offers Land for Saudi Investors in Economic Zone

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday offered land for increased investment from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the country's Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

She also invited Saudi Arabia to set up an oil refinery in Bangladesh where all kinds of oil including crude can be refined, reports UNB.

The prime minister made the offers when a nine-member delegation led by visiting Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al-kassabi met her at Ganabhaban in Dhaka.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

During the meeting, the prime minister discussed with the Saudi minister the enhancement of businesses of both countries for mutual interest.

The Saudi minister said key investors of his country are keen to invest in Bangladesh, particularly in the renewable energy sector, according to the press secretary.

In this context, he urged the prime minister to ease the investment process in Bangladesh by addressing the bureaucratic delays.

The prime minister, in reply, said she has already asked the officials concerned to take the required measures to simplify and quicken the investment process, said the press secretary.

She said there are huge markets in the neighbouring countries, adding that her government has been working to ease the transportation of goods by setting up connectivity on all the modes, including the waterways.

The prime minister said the government has taken measures in dredging the rivers to enhance their navigability through the waterways.

She said her government wants to build an Arabic Language Institute to facilitate Bangladeshi workers to know the language well before going to Saudi Arabia so they can easily communicate with Arabic speaking people.

She said her country is eagerly waiting to receive the KSA crown prince when the Saudi minister said their crown prince is interested to visit Bangladesh.

Majid bin Abdullah invited Sheikh Hasina to visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

He highly praised Bangladesh's remarkable progress and development under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The prime minister also appreciated the fast development of Saudi Arabia.

Talking about the Rohingya crisis, the KSA minister described Sheikh Hasina as the Mother of Humanity.

Majid said there is enormous potential for Saudi investment in Bangladesh, noting, "We can share our experience in the field of business with Bangladesh."

He said in the last 10 months as many as 6.50 lakh Bangladeshis went to Saudi Arabia with jobs.

Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, and Ambassador of the KSA to Bangladesh Essa bin Yousef Al Duhailan were present during the meeting.