Dhaka – The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Center for Migration Studies (CMS) of North South University held a national seminar titled “From Workforce to Strategic Partnership: Reimagining Bangladesh–KSA Relations” on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Multipurpose Hall of the Foreign Service Academy.
HE Mr Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the event as the chief guest and opened the proceedings with remarks on the evolving nature of Bangladesh‑Saudi Arabia relations.
In his speech, the State Minister underscored the need to build a comprehensive partnership grounded in mutual trust, investment, technology, innovation and human‑capital development. He stressed that while labour migration remains important, both nations must broaden cooperation to include emerging sectors.
Kobir highlighted specific opportunities in agriculture, connectivity, logistics, supply‑chain management and clean‑energy projects, urging both governments and private actors to explore joint ventures that leverage each country’s comparative advantages.
He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and advancing skills development, noting that a skilled workforce is essential for sustainable economic growth and deeper strategic ties.
The seminar served as a platform for policy dialogue among government officials, researchers, academics and other stakeholders, facilitating the exchange of ideas on how to diversify and strengthen bilateral relations beyond traditional labour migration.
Participants concluded that the proposed strategic partnership could pave the way for increased trade, investment and collaborative innovation, positioning both Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia to benefit from shared economic and technological progress.
Why it matters
The seminar aims to deepen Bangladesh‑Saudi Arabia ties beyond labour migration, impacting trade, investment and human capital development.