Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have agreed to form a joint task force to enhance energy cooperation between the two countries, BSS reported based on a statement.
The two sides also decided to strengthen further their bilateral cooperation in a number of fields of shared interests in order to achieve the directives of the two leaders and the goals of their two brotherly peoples.
The two countries also signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the establishment of a joint business council between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and an MoU on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates.
The developments came from the two-day 14th Joint Commission meeting between the two countries held on October 30-31 at Crown Plaza Hotel in Riyadh.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Sharifa Khan led the Bangladesh delegation while Saudi Vice Minister for Human Resources and Social Development Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain led the Saudi delegation. Sharifa led an eight-member delegation at the Joint Commission comprising representatives from different ministries and divisions.
The statement also said that the two countries would hold the meeting of the task force on regular basis on energy cooperation at their convenient time.
Moreover, following request from Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia assured of
investing in the commercial supply of LNG on urgent basis and in the Eastern Refinery Unit 2 project.
The meeting also discussed the establishment of a 1,000 MW solar power plant by Saudi Akwa Power and another 730 MW gas-fired power plant.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Mohammed Javed Patwary and Deputy of Saudi Maritime Transport Abdul Rahman M Al-Thunayan signed the two MoUs.
Apart from these, another MoU was signed between the FBCCI and the Federation of Saudi Chamber of Commerce to form a joint business council to boost trade and commerce between the two countries.
FBCCI Vice President Habib Ullah Dawn and vice chairman of Saudi Chamber Engineer Tariq bin Muhammad Al-Haidari signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
The next joint commission meeting would be held in Dhaka.
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