Bangladesh and Morocco Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh and Morocco have committed to enhancing their bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, and skills development. This agreement was formalized during a meeting held in Rabat, where Shama Obaed Islam, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, met with Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita. The meeting highlighted the intention of both nations to deepen their ties, which was underscored by Shama Obaed’s remarks about Bangladesh’s proactive approach under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to foster closer relations with African countries, specifically Morocco.
During their discussions, the two leaders acknowledged the necessity of maintaining high-level exchanges to reinforce political relations and mutual understanding. Shama Obaed reflected on the historical connection between the two nations, recalling the visit of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Morocco in 1980, and appreciated Morocco's recognition of this visit by naming an avenue in Rabat after him. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to broadening cooperation in various fields such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, culture, education, and women's empowerment. They also agreed to enhance multilateral collaboration and to convene the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka as soon as possible to review ongoing partnerships and explore new areas of collaboration.
In addition to the diplomatic discussions, Shama Obaed extended a cordial invitation to Minister Nasser Bourita to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. Furthermore, the Bangladeshi State Minister held a productive meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, where they proposed an exchange of business delegations aimed at boosting commercial interactions between the two nations. The Moroccan minister expressed enthusiasm for sending a business delegation to Bangladesh by the end of 2026 to facilitate this engagement.
Shama Obaed emphasized the existing agricultural cooperation between the two countries, advocating for stronger government-to-government collaboration to ensure a stable phosphate supply chain, which is crucial for Bangladesh’s agricultural development and food security. She also reiterated Bangladesh’s interest in promoting eco-friendly jute products within the Moroccan market, highlighting the potential for sustainable trade practices.
The discussions also encompassed deeper cooperation in innovation, industrial training, and information and communication technologies, as well as the potential for establishing a Free Trade Agreement to further boost bilateral trade relations. On the same day, Shama Obaed engaged with Morocco's Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, where she outlined various initiatives of the Bangladeshi government, such as the 'Family Card' and 'Farmers' Card' programs, along with canal re-excavation projects. Both leaders explored avenues for collaboration in employment generation, vocational training, and the growth of small and medium enterprises, emphasizing knowledge-sharing and technical exchanges as vital components of their partnership.
This visit by Shama Obaed to Morocco is part of her participation in the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment, further illustrating Bangladesh’s commitment to international cooperation and peacekeeping efforts.
As reported by newagebd.net.
