Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have launched the Saudi Arabia–Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SABCCI) in Dhaka, marking a new era of bilateral cooperation aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and workforce development between the two nations.
At the launch event in Gulshan, SABCCI President Ashraful Haq Chowdhury said the chamber would serve as a long-awaited institutional bridge to deepen economic ties. Despite strong diplomatic relations, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia had lacked a structured trade platform for the past five decades.
“With the support of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, and key Saudi stakeholders, SABCCI is now a reality,” Chowdhury said. He emphasized the chamber’s focus on expanding collaboration in ready-made garments (RMG), IT, digital finance, agro-products, and skilled manpower exports — sectors that could significantly increase Bangladesh’s export earnings from Saudi Arabia.
During fiscal year 2024–25, Bangladesh exported goods worth $310 million to Saudi Arabia, while total bilateral trade reached $2 billion. Business leaders believe that figure could grow substantially as the new chamber strengthens private-sector engagement and simplifies export procedures.
Saudi Arabia, the Middle East’s largest economy, already employs over three million Bangladeshi workers. SABCCI plans to build on this foundation by promoting skilled labour exports in healthcare, IT, and technical services — areas identified as high-demand sectors in Saudi Vision 2030.
Uzma Chowdhury, SABCCI Director and senior executive at PRAN-RFL, said the chamber would help modernize Bangladesh’s export model. “PRAN-RFL products have had a strong presence in the Saudi market for over 25 years. But beyond product exports, we now need integrated partnerships in IT, healthcare, and digital trade,” she said.
She added that SABCCI would engage in policy dialogue to resolve export registration and visa challenges, helping unlock opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi professionals.
Ahmad Yusuf Walid, Vice-President of SABCCI, said the idea for the joint chamber began two years ago through discussions with Saudi business leaders and the Bangladeshi diaspora. “Our goal is to connect businesses, facilitate trade, and support entrepreneurs from both nations,” he noted.
City Bank Deputy Managing Director and SABCCI Director Mesbaul Asif Siddiqui highlighted the need for stronger financial infrastructure and consistent policies to attract Saudi foreign direct investment (FDI). “Saudi Arabia’s $1.24 trillion economy offers vast potential for collaboration in oil refining, IT, healthcare, and port management,” he said, adding that 300 acres in the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Chattogram have already been allocated for Saudi investors.
A three-day Saudi–Bangladesh Business Summit begins today at the Sheraton Dhaka, featuring a 20-member Saudi business delegation. The flagship SABCCI Business Summit, opening on October 7, will bring together policymakers, economists, and investors to identify new pathways for bilateral trade expansion.
With the launch of SABCCI, both nations are now positioned to turn shared diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic gains — paving the way for a sharp rise in Bangladeshi exports and investment inflows from Saudi Arabia.
