On May 20, 2026, Dhaka witnessed a remarkable milestone as Bangladesh and Morocco inaugurated their inaugural business-to-business (B2B) platform in Rabat, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and green industrial collaboration between South Asia and Africa. The formal launch was officiated by Shama Obaed Islam, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, during her two-day official visit to Morocco. This initiative has been heralded as a new corridor for commerce, innovation, and sustainable growth, as outlined in a press release from the foreign ministry.
In her inaugural address, Shama emphasized that the platform is designed to foster high-value, innovation-driven, and people-focused partnerships. She articulated the vision of engaging in trade not merely for its own sake, but rather to establish industries, create jobs, facilitate technology transfer, and promote sustainable growth for both nations. Highlighting Bangladesh's strategic geographical position between South and Southeast Asia, she noted the country's emergence as the world's second-largest garment exporter and a pharmaceutical supplier to over 150 countries. Moreover, she pointed to Bangladesh's development as a growing hub for information and communication technology (ICT), leather, ceramics, light engineering, and food processing industries.
The promotion of Bangladesh's jute and jute-based products was identified as a key priority for the newly launched platform. Shama detailed how Bangladesh’s modernized jute industry, which produces biodegradable and carbon-absorbing products increasingly utilized in the automotive and fashion sectors, is closely aligned with Morocco's expanding industrial landscape. She forecasted that as African nations increasingly seek to limit single-use plastics, the demand for biodegradable alternatives made from jute would surge, positioning Bangladesh as a significant supplier in the market.
An exhibition showcasing Bangladeshi jute products was also organized at the premises of the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce, jointly inaugurated by Shama Obaed Islam and Hassan Sakhi, the president of the chamber. The B2B event was coordinated by the Bangladesh Embassy in Rabat in collaboration with the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services, bringing together approximately 30 prominent Moroccan business leaders along with a seven-member delegation from Bangladesh.
Looking ahead, officials indicated that a high-level Moroccan business delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh in November 2026, with the objective of exploring economic zones, industrial hubs, and innovation centers, thereby laying the groundwork for future investment partnerships and joint ventures. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Morocco, Sadia Faizunnesa, also participated in the event, underscoring the collaborative spirit of this initiative. Other notable attendees included Syed Md. Nurul Basir, Director General of the Department of Jute, Abdur Rouf Mondol, Director General (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sahela Akter, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries.
Subsequently, the state minister delivered a lecture entitled "Bangladesh Foreign Policy: Focus on Africa" at the Moroccan Institute for Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies in Rabat. During her talk, she highlighted the government's
As reported by bssnews.net.
