Humaiun Kobir: Bangladesh Views Makkah Defence Agreement Positively

Bangladesh Positively Considering Makkah Defence Agreement: Humaiun Kobir

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has said Bangladesh is positively considering the Makkah Defence Agreement, with any decision to be based on national interests and the potential role of the country's peacekeeping expertise in promoting regional peace and stability.

“We are having positive discussions on the Makkah Defence Agreement. We are viewing it positively,” Kobir said at a national seminar held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

He said Bangladesh could consider joining the agreement if it aligned with the country's national interests and allowed its peacekeeping experience to contribute to the welfare of Muslim nations and stability in the Middle East.

“If it falls within the national interests of Bangladesh and converges, and we feel that our peacekeeping expertise can add value in serving Muslim nations and keeping a stable, peaceful Middle East, then there is every scope to take a positive decision on the matter,” he said.

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and North South University's Center for Migration Studies jointly organised the seminar, titled “From Workforce to Strategic Partnership: Reimagining Bangladesh-KSA Relations.”

Kobir also confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had accepted an invitation from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince to visit the Kingdom.

“He has accepted and will do so at some point very soon,” he said, adding that the Crown Prince had also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh. Dhaka would welcome him at a mutually convenient time.

According to the state minister, the proposed visits reflect strengthening political ties between the two countries. He also described Bangladesh as a strong Saudi partner in maritime security.

Calling for a broader economic and strategic partnership, Kobir said bilateral relations should move beyond their traditional emphasis on labour migration and remittances.

“While that foundation remains important, it cannot be the ceiling of our ambition,” he said.

He noted that Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Bangladesh's economic transformation had created opportunities for cooperation in investment, human capital, technology and connectivity.

Discussions were also underway on a potential investment fund to support joint ventures and investments in priority sectors, he added.

Kobir identified renewable energy, infrastructure, ports, logistics, agriculture, fisheries, food security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information technology and artificial intelligence as promising areas for Saudi investment.

He stressed that attracting investment would require a predictable and transparent business environment, stronger institutional coordination and timely decision-making.

The state minister also called for a greater focus on trained and certified professionals to meet the evolving needs of Saudi Arabia's labour market. He urged training institutions, universities and industries to work together to ensure that workers' qualifications and skills matched Saudi market requirements.

Protecting the welfare, dignity and rights of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia would remain a government priority, he said.

He further highlighted opportunities for cooperation in knowledge and technology, ports, shipping, logistics, aviation and supply chains.

“The next chapter of Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations should therefore be defined by value creation rather than volume alone,” he said.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah attended the seminar as the guest of honour. Foreign Ministry Secretary (Bilateral) Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed participated as special guests.

BIISS Director General Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman and North South University Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury also addressed the event.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Kobir reiterated that peace and stability in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world would be central considerations in Bangladesh's approach to the Makkah Defence Agreement.

He said ensuring stability in the region encompassing Makkah and Madinah was a key objective, adding that Bangladesh could make wider use of its peacekeeping expertise to support international peace.

He said Bangladesh was positively considering potential participation in the agreement or association with the alliance, with regional peace and stability remaining the priority.

Kobir also highlighted the importance of regular high-level exchanges, including ministerial and official visits, in strengthening bilateral engagement.

He called for diversifying employment opportunities for Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, particularly in energy, technology and other emerging sectors, while increasing the number of highly skilled professionals sent to the Kingdom.

“We are also holding very positive discussions with Saudi Arabia and, God willing, many new opportunities will emerge between the two countries,” he said.

The state minister said Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia could establish a broad investment partnership focused on jointly investing in profitable sectors.

“The days of dependency are over. We are now placing emphasis on an equal partnership between the two countries and on sustainable policies,” he told journalists.