Deepening Ties: A New Era of Cooperation
On May 20, 2026, in a significant diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh and Morocco have laid the groundwork for enhanced bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, and skills development. This pivotal agreement was finalized during a meeting between Shama Obaed Islam, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Foreign Minister, in Rabat, as stated in a press release from the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry.
Shama Obaed expressed Bangladesh's commitment to strengthening its partnerships with African nations, emphasizing the desire to elevate relations with Morocco under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The two foreign ministers underscored the significance of maintaining high-level exchanges to fortify the political connections between their countries.
The meeting also highlighted the historical ties between Bangladesh and Morocco, recalling the visit of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Morocco in 1980, and acknowledging Morocco's tribute of naming a street in Rabat after him. Both parties reiterated their dedication to expanding cooperation in diverse areas such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, sports, culture, and women's empowerment, alongside fostering people-to-people connectivity and enhanced multilateral collaboration.
Future Collaborations and Strategic Initiatives
Plans for future consultations were also discussed, with both nations agreeing to convene the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka at the earliest opportunity to assess ongoing cooperation and explore new avenues of mutual interest. Shama Obaed extended an invitation to Nasser Bourita for a visit to Bangladesh, aiming to strengthen ties further.
In a subsequent meeting with Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, Shama Obaed proposed the exchange of business delegations to bolster commercial interactions between the two countries. The Moroccan minister showed enthusiasm for sending a business delegation to Bangladesh by the end of 2026. The discussions also touched on the existing agricultural cooperation, with Shama Obaed advocating for enhanced government-to-government collaboration to ensure a stable supply chain of phosphate, which is crucial for Bangladesh's agricultural development and food security. Moreover, she reiterated Bangladesh's interest in promoting eco-friendly jute products in the Moroccan market.
Both nations committed to deepening their collaboration in innovation, industrial training, information and communication technology, and artificial intelligence, while also exploring the potential for a Free Trade Agreement to fortify bilateral trade. On the same day, Shama Obaed engaged with Morocco's Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, where they discussed various initiatives aimed at employment generation, vocational training, and the empowerment of women and youth, as well as the growth of small and medium enterprises.
The meetings were accompanied by the presence of Bangladesh's Ambassador to Morocco, Sadia Faizunnesa, and the Director General (Africa) of the Foreign Ministry, Abdur Rouf Mondol, highlighting the importance of these discussions in shaping a cooperative future. Shama Obaed's visit to Morocco is also in conjunction with her attendance at the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment, which is scheduled to be held in Rabat.
As reported by bssnews.net.
