DHAKA, Feb 12, 2020 (BSS) – Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal today said
the government is expecting a huge investment from the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia in various sectors including power and energy, especially potential
investment and support from the Saudi Aramco.
Kamal said this to the reporters after holding a meeting with the visiting
Saudi delegation, led by Saudi Deputy Minister for Labour and Employment
Mahir Abdulrahman Algassim, at his ERD office here this afternoon.
The Saudi delegation is now in Dhaka to attend the two-day 13th
Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission meeting being held in the capital.
He said more power and electricity is needed as the government is setting
up some 100 special economic zones and more will come.
“We’re looking forward to the Saudi Aramco to come up here as Aramco is a
big name for the KSA. They (Aramco) have already expressed their interest and
they want to join and support,” he added.
Saudi Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, is a Saudi Arabian
national petroleum and natural gas company based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
which is one of the largest companies in the world by revenue.
The Finance Minister said Bangladesh has now come to a stage where it can
provide skilled workers in abroad apart from unskilled workers to the
countries like Saudi Arabia.
The government is giving priority on education and skills development, he
said, adding “We know that if we don’t augment our skills considering
tomorrow’s needs, then it won’t be meaningful.”
Kamal said whenever Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was in Saudi Arabia, she
tried to showcase Bangladesh. “The relationship between Bangladesh and Saudi
Arabia will be stronger day by day and you can expect better days ahead of
us.”
The Saudi Deputy Minister said the KSA’s relationship with Bangladesh has
been very successful over the past few years, adding “Over the last three to
four years, Saudi-Bangladesh relationship has reached its peak that’s only
because of the leaders that we have.”
When asked about their potential investment volume in Bangladesh in the
coming years, he said, “It’s really on the business opportunities. If there
is right return on businesses, then you’ll definitely find the funds and
investment coming…But, we’ve more eagerness to come and invest in
Bangladesh.”