Written by The Banking Post
Saudi Arabia has expressed strong interest in expanding investments in Bangladesh’s transport, logistics and maritime sectors, with both countries agreeing to explore commercially viable projects to deepen bilateral investment cooperation.
The interest was conveyed during a meeting on Wednesday between a Saudi delegation, led by Deputy Minister for Transport and Logistics Services Dr Rumaih Mohammed Al-Rumaih, and officials of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) at the Investment Building in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh side was led by BIDA Executive Chairman and PPP Authority CEO Ashik Chowdhury. Senior officials from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Authority, BIDA and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) also attended the meeting.
During the discussions, Dr Al-Rumaih said Bangladesh’s efforts to promote private sector participation and improve the ease of doing business are aligned with Saudi Arabia’s development strategy.
He said Saudi Arabia is working to become a global logistics hub while encouraging leading Saudi companies to invest abroad in priority sectors.
The Saudi deputy minister expressed interest in creating more investment opportunities for Saudi firms in Bangladesh and assured support for Bangladeshi companies seeking to expand their operations in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting also reviewed the operations of Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) at the Patenga Container Terminal of Chattogram Port.
Dr Al-Rumaih said more than 98 per cent of RSGT’s workforce in Bangladesh comprises local employees.
He added that the company is exploring further investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s maritime logistics sector by developing skilled manpower, introducing advanced technologies and strengthening terminal management.
Both sides stressed the need to leverage the strong bilateral relationship to implement mutually beneficial investment projects.
After the meeting, Ashik Chowdhury said the discussions identified several sectors that match both Saudi investors’ interests and Bangladesh’s development priorities.
“Particularly in logistics and supply chain networks—from cold storage facilities to port infrastructure—there is significant scope for Saudi investment.”
